What Tactical/combat career fields are available for CBRN?

Alec Roman — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 13:33:27 -0400

My brother messaged me last night looking into a military career. He would like to do something CBRN related (he is going to NC State for Biomed) but said that he liked the sound of Marine RTT or Coast Guard MSRT, which are the two jobs that set off his interest. While these two jobs may not be exactly what he’s looking for, are there any careers in any branch similar to what he’s looking for?

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Apr 17 at 2018 1:57 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 13:57:04 -0400

On the Army side look into Tech Escort units (TEU), and State Civil Support Teams (CST).

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 17 at 2018 3:47 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 15:47:22 -0400

Homeland security, Fifth Army and down trace units.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2018 4:01 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 16:01:41 -0400

If he has the mettle, each Special Forces Group (Airborne) is assigned a Chemical Recon Detachment as a Chemical Decon Detachment. Additionally, 75th Rangers have a Chemical teams that provide the same support for the Ranger Regiment.

Otherwise, pretty much every unit in the Army requires some sort of CBRN Soldier.

After looking again at your post, I realized that you are talking more about the part time services, such as the Guard. Many states have a Civilian Support Team that support civilian operations during an event that involves WMD. Typically, these teams work closely with Homeland.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Apr 17 at 2018 4:12 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 16:12:45 -0400

From what I know of the MOS, and having worked alongside a few and actually worked as a CBRN NCO at one point, the closest that you can expect to get to the line will be being the CBRN clerk/NCO of a line TCB... You're not a combat trooper.. CBRN guys and gals are clerks, teachers, and an asset kept in the rear until needed.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2018 3:55 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 03:55:57 -0400

Ok. A 74D serving outside a Chemical Unit is basically a whatever MOS their unit is made up of, signaliers, infantry, scouts, tankers....They’re a generalist who also runs a CBRN cage but is required to do EVERYTHING any Soldier in the specific unit does. As far as Officer, we serve in the capacity as a Specialty Staff Position, serving a an advisor to the Commander. Biomed will come in handy at BOLC and CCC then a Functional Area but you need to be able to do staff work first. But it’s not enough to know the CBRN effects and mitigation techniques, you must also be prepared to know every other maneuver MOS so you can accurately describe the effects weapons have on the troops in the formation, which means bivouacing with the infantry or sleeping in Bradley’s with the Scouts. Hope that helps. The Chemical Corps needs good people. -Chemical Company Commander.

Response by MAJ Mark Anderson made May 6 at 2018 7:26 PM

MAJ Mark Anderson — Sun, 06 May 2018 19:26:20 -0400

I would recommend WMD-CST. These are full time Army and Air Guard and have rigorous training programs.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2018 3:06 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 May 2018 15:06:22 -0400

As a CBRN myself, if he wants to see combat look elsewhere.

Response by SGM (R) Antonio Brown made Jul 4 at 2018 10:21 AM

SGM (R) Antonio Brown — Wed, 04 Jul 2018 10:21:28 -0400

As a CBRN Soldier he can be assigned to any unit. When I was in a light infantry unit I did forced airfield insertions and fired 60mm mortars. In mechanized infantry I learned how to fire a Bradley Fighting Vehicle. There are a few organizations in the Army that will allow your brother to get into the science while performing combat arms actions. But that will require him to jump from an aircraft.

Response by SGT VernonCole Etheredge made Nov 30 at 2020 9:39 PM

SGT VernonCole Etheredge — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 21:39:19 -0500

74D can go anywhere. As for seeing action, it all depends on the Unit you get assigned to. I served 12 years as a 74D. I only spent about 3 months in a NBC cage. For the most part I served along side of infanty, cav, and engineer units. My first deployment to Iraq I was a team leader assigned to the Battalion PSD team. Second deployment to Iraq I was on a Recce team that served as PSD and QRF. Served as QRF platoon sergeant in Afghanistan. For the rest of my time I served in the 178th technical rescue training to perform high angle rope rescue, confined space rescue, VMR rescue and structural collapse rescue in a chemical environment. 74D is one of those MOS,s where it can be as high speed as you want it. You can go SF, Ranger, SFAB, and 160th soar as a 74D. If your not a go getter yoy can just serve you time in a chem unit, or riding a cage, and running gas chambers from time to time. Its like any other MOS, it is what you make it.