Designing the Army's Future Active Duty Weapons of Mass Destruction Response: Is the Defense Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High-Yield Explosives Response Force (DCRF) the Right Force at the Right Time?
Abstract
With the ever-evolving contemporary nature of external and internal threats to the safety and security of the American homeland, it becomes increasingly important to consider all of the possible contingencies for which an active-duty military force might have to provide emergency response and consequence management (CM). The active force assigned to provide support during a major event on U.S. soil involving the use of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or high-yield explosive (CBRNE) weapons is the Defense CBRNE Response Force (DCRF). The purpose of this thesis is to examine the capacity of the DCRF to respond to a situation similar to the standardized scenarios presented as part of the National Preparedness Guidelines. The nascent nature of the DCRF and the difficulties of integrating it into national-level exercises involving local-level and state-level responders (including National Guard forces) suggest that further study of the design of the DCRF is warranted. The DCRF itself is stood-up on a rotational basis between two Maneuver Enhancement Brigades (MEBs) within the United States, leading to long train-up times and challenges with continuity, collaborative training, and operational tempo. The thesis presents suggestions for DCRF design, planning, and training that could significantly improve the nation's ability to provide essential support in the event of a major CBRNE incident.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 14, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA589878
Entities
People
- Justin P. Hurt
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College