Chemical staff officers and
NCOs have many responsibilities and duties. At corps and division
levels the duties and responsibilities are very similar. From
brigade down to company level, chemical responsibilities and duties
are also very closely aligned. The brigade and battalion chemical
staff sections frequently work together to monitor, improve, and
sustain NBC training, unit equipment readiness, and SOPS at unit
level.
The various chemical staff
sections must know their supporting chemical unit's organization
and functions. This requires chemical staffs to coordinate and
plan with chemical units designated in the various operational
and contingency plans to support them. Both chemical staffs and
units should establish habitual relationships.
CORPS CHEMICAL OFFICER
Advises the corps commander
and staff on all matters pertaining to NBC defense and
the concept for chemical unit support of corps operations. Has
overall supervisory responsibility for the chemical staff (corps
chemical section and NBC element). Relies on subordinate chemical
staff personnel to collect, collate, evaluate, and distribute
NBC data. Recommends NBC defensive posture and operations. Supervises
and monitors NBC training throughout the command. Provides technical
supervision of all NBC activities.
This officer, jointly with
the corps surgeon, verifies enemy first use of biological/chemical
weapons. The verification is passed to the National Command Authority
(NCA) by the most expeditious means.
Assists the chemical brigade
commander in making recommendations to the corps commander and
the G3 on organizing and employing corps chemical units.
Evaluates the nature and extent
of contaminated terrain and units. Formulates plans for NBC recon,
decon, and/or smoke support. Conducts liaison with a host nation
for NBC decon, recon, and smoke support.
ASSISTANT CORPS CHEMICAL
OFFICER
Act for the corps chemical
officer in his absence. Stays abreast of all NBC situations and
matters. Assists the corps staff in planning defensive operations
and formulating the NBC portion of plans and orders. Prepares
NBC estimates and SOPs for defense against NBC attacks. Gives
planning guidance to the two chemical staff officers supervising
the corps chemical section and NBC element activities. Specifically,
he gives guidance on what NBC information needs to be obtained
and where it is to be distributed. Normally is located in the
NBCC of the corps main CP.
CHEMICAL STAFF OFFICER
There are three chemical staff
officers assigned to the corps chemical staff. Each officer works
in a different CP or cell during field operations.
TAC CP Chemical Staff
Officer
Located at the corps tactical
CP. Primary duty is to monitor current NBC operations and the
execution of the current corps plan. Keeps the chemical staff
at the corps main CP informed on NBC matters. Stays abreast of
the corps commander's intent and advises him on the employment
of chemical units. Specifically focuses on--
- The operational status and
location of corps chemical units, including those task-organized
to subordinate units.
- Current NBC situation.
- The location of contaminated
units and terrain.
- Assisting in issuing warning
orders and fragmentary orders to chemical units in support close
operations.
- Synchronizing NBC defense
and chemical units in support of close operations.
- Maintaining liaison with supporting
chemical unit headquarters (brigade or battalion).
Plans Chemical Staff
Officer
Works in the main CP plans
cell. Responsible for the integration of NBC defense and chemical
of unit operations in all plans
and orders. Prepares the NBC estimate and the NBC/chemical support
annex to plans and orders. Receives guidance from the corps chemical
officer, chemical brigade commander, and chemical brigade S3 on
the employment of chemical units in support of future corps operations.
Intelligence Chemical
Staff Officer
Works in the main CP current
operations cell. Responsible for coordination with the intelligence
cell Conducts vulnerability analysis based on the latest intelligence.
Provides input on priority information requirements and information
requirements. Assists the plans chemical officer on developing
the enemy situation for estimates, plans, and orders.
NBC STAFF OFFICER AND NBC
ELEMENT DIRECTOR
Both located at the corps
main CP in the NBCC. Each functions as a 12-hour shift supervisor
of the NBCC. They work closely with the G2 element to develop
plans to gather intelligence, analyze enemy NBC capabilities,
and determine if the enemy plans to use NBC weapons. They supervise
the collection, collation, evaluation, and dissemination of NBC
reports and data, These officers predict the effects of enemy
NBC weapons on corps operations and supervise the maintenance
of the NBC situation map. In addition, they assist in the planning
and coordination for logistical support requirements of subordinates.
Additionally they --
- Perform continuous NBC IPB
for impacts on current and future operations.
- Maintain NBC threat information.
- Provide current and anticipated
enemy NBC situation information to the NBCC.
- Maintain the status of NBC
equipment and CDE.
- Track NBC equipment and CDE
consumption rates.
- Forecasts NBC equipment and
CDE requirements.
- Assist in coordinating host
nation NBC support.
- Assist in the coordination
of reconstitution operations when chemical assets are required
or involved.
SENIOR NBC STAFF NCO (SGM)
The senior chemical NCO on
the corps staff. Responsible for the training of all enlisted
soldiers on the corps chemical staff and supporting JA Team. During
field operations, he works in the main CP in the NBCC and functions
as a 12-hour shift NCOIC. As the shift NCOIC, he assists the shift
OIC. Supervises the processing of NBC attack information, coordinates
with other staff sections, prepares and disseminates CDM/EDM messages,
and manages the NBCWRS. Ensures that all staff journals, files,
and records are maintained. Supervises maintenance of the section's
vehicles. Advises the corps chemical officer on the distribution
of chemical personnel within the corps and training and readiness
issues.
NBC STAFF NCO (SFC)
Assists the chemical staff
officer in the TAC CP. He normally works the shift in the TAC
CP opposite of the chemical staff officer. Duties are identical
with the chemical staff officer's duties.
OPERATIONS SERGEANT
NCOIC of the JA Team, acting
as a 12-hour shift NCOIC in the NBCC. Works opposite the senior
NBC staff NCO. Supervises the processing of NBC attack information,
coordinates with other staff sections, prepares and disseminates
CDM/EDM messages, and manages the NBCWRS. Ensures that all staff
journals, files, and records are maintained. Supervises maintenance
of the section's vehicles.
COMPUTER-PLOTTER
There are five computer-plotters
and they work in various CPs and cells during field operations.
NBCC Computer-Plotter
Four of the NCOs work at the
NBCC in the main CP to receive, process, and plot NBC attack information.
Determine downwind hazard predictions of enemy chemical and biological
agent clouds and radioactive fallout. Prepare and disseminate
the appropriate NBC reports. Maintain the visual displays and
the staff journals as required. Maintain the NBC situation map
in the NBCC. They gather NBC information from the subordinate
command's situation reports. Operate the MCS terminal and use
ANBACIS to maintain an NBC information database. They send and
receive messages as needed. Transmit detailed instructions to
radiological survey parties and survey operations. Calculate transmission
or correlation factors as required from reports provided by radiological
monitoring or survey parties. Prepare and disseminate EDMs and
CDMs. Select correction factors for radiological decay from tables,
graphs, or nomograms. Convert radiological contamination data
to ground dose rates at a reference time. Maintain radiation status
reports of subordinate corps units. Perform detailed vulnerability
analysis.
Plans Computer-Plotter
Assists the chemical staff
officer in the plans cell at the main CP. Assists in the preparation
of the NBC/chemical support plans.
Clerk-Typist
Performs general administrative
support functions for the NBCC in the main CP. Acts as the radio-telephone
operator. Preparess and dispatches messages and maintains the
daily staff journal/message file. Receives and records NBC messages
and helps to prepare NBC contamination overlays for transmission.
DIVISION CHEMICAL OFFICER
A special staff officer who
functions with the primary staff responsibility of the G-3. Advises
the division commander on NBC defense measures, employment of
chemical units, smoke, and flame. Exercises OPCON of the divisional
chemical company. Supervises the division chemical staff. Coordinates
and provides technical expertise to subordinate chemical staffs
and units. The staff assists him in supervising and monitoring
NBC training throughout the command and technical supervision
of all NBC activities.
Coordinates with supporting
chemical units. Recommends to the division commander and the G3
on how supporting chemical units should be task-organized, employed,
and supported.
Evaluates the nature and extent
of contaminated terrain and units. Formulates plans for NBC recon,
decon, and/or smoke support. Conducts liaison with a host nation
for NBC decon, recon, and smoke support.
TACTICAL CHEMICAL OPERATIONS
OFFICER
Acts for the division chemical
staff officer in his absence. Tracks all NBC situations and matters.
Assists the division staff in planning operations and formulating
the NBC portion of plans and orders. Prepares NBC estimates and
SOPs for defense against NBC attacks. Operates from the division
TAC CP and monitors current NBC operations and the execution of
the current division plan. Keeps the chemical staff at the division
main CP informed on NBC matters. Stays abreast of the division's
intent and advises on the employment of chemical units. Specifically
focuses on--
- The operational status and
location of supporting chemical units including those task organized
to subordinate units.
- The current NBC situation.
- The location of contaminated
units and terrain.
- Assisting in issuing warning
orders and fragmentary orders to chemical units in support of
close operations.
- The synchronization of NBC
defense and chemical units in support of close operations.
- Maintaining liaison with support
chemical unit headquarters.
CHEMICAL OFFICER AND NBC
OFFICER
Located at the division main
CP, where each functions as a 12-hour shift supervisor of the
NBCC. They work closely with the G2 element to develop plans to
gather intelligence, analyze enemy NBC capabilities, and determine
if the enemy plans to use NBC weapons. Supervise the collection,
collation, evaluation, and dissemination of NBC reports and data.
Predict the effects of enemy NBC weapons on division operations
and supervise the maintenance of the NBC situation map. Plan and
coordinate for logistical support requirements of subordinate
chemical units.
NBC OPERATIONS NCO (SGM)
The senior chemical NCO in
the division. Trains all enlisted soldiers on the division chemical
staff. Functions as a 12-hour shift NCOIC, assisting shift OIC.
Supervises the processing of NBC attack information, coordinating
with other staff sections, preparing and disseminating of CDM/EDM
messages, and the managing of the NBCWRS. Ensures that all staff
journals, files, and records are maintained. Supervises maintenance
of the section's vehicles. Advises the division chemical officer
on the distribution of chemical personnel within the division
and training and readiness issues.
CHEMICAL OPERATIONS NCO (MSG)
Acts as a 12-hour shift NCOIC
of the division NBCC in the main CP, working opposite the NBC
operations NCO. Supervises the processing of NBC attack information,
coordinating with other staff sections, preparating and disseminating
of CDM/EDM messages, and the managing the NBCWRS. Ensures that
all staff journals, files, and records are maintained. Supervises
maintenance of the section's vehicles.
NBC STAFF NCO
Assists the tactical chemical
operations officer in the TAC CP. Duties are very similar to those
of the tactical chemical operations officer.
The other works in the division
NBCC. Assists in the processing of NBC attack information, coordinating
with other staff sections, preparing and disseminating of CDM/EDM
messages, and the managing the NBCWRS. Ensures that all staff
journals, files, and records are maintained.
OPERATIONS NCO
Works in the TAC CP with the
NBC staff NCO on a 12-hour shift opposite of the NBC staff NCO.
Duties are identical with those of the NBC staff NCO.
COMPUTER-PLOTTER AND NBC NCO
They perform identical functions, but on opposite shifts.
Receive, process, and plot NBC attack information and determine
downwind hazard predictions of enemy chemical and biological agent
clouds and radioactive fallout. Prepare the appropriate NBC reports
and distribute them. Maintain the visual displays and the staff
journals as required. Maintain the NBC situation map in the NBCC.
They gather NBC information from the subordinate command's situation
reports. Operate the MCS terminal and use ANBACIS to maintain
an NBC information database. Send and receive messages as needed.
Transmit detailed instructions to radiological survey parties
and survey operations. Calculate transmission or correlation factors
as required from data provided by radiological monitoring or survey
parties. Prepare and disseminate EDMs and CDMs. Select correction
factors for radiological decay from tables, graphs, or nomograms.
Convert radiological contamination data to ground dose rates at
a reference time. Maintain radiation status reports of subordinate
division units.
CLERK-TYPIST
Performs general administrative
support functions for the NBCC. Acts as the radio-telephone operator.
Prepare and dispatches messages and maintains the daily staff
journal/message file. Receives and records NBC messages. Prepares
chemical and radiological contamination overlays for transmission.
The brigade chemical staff
section serves as a focal point for all NBC matters. Brigade chemical
staff monitor the unit NBC readiness
status of subordinate battalions. They also plan for and request
chemical unit support.
Additionally assist with--
- Training and evaluation.
- Logistics.
- Chemical personnel management.
- Unit NBC equipment readiness.
This section consists of the
brigade chemical officer and the brigade chemical staff NCO. The
following paragraphs present their basic operational responsibilities
and duties.
BRIGADE CHEMICAL OFFICER
The brigade commander's chief
advisor on all NBC matters. Makes recommendations on chemical
unit employment. Assists in preplanning and coordinating logistical
requirements for supporting chemical units. Provides NBC staff
assistance to subordinate battalions.
Informs the brigade commander
of threat NBC capabilities relevant to the brigade's area of operations.
Ensures that PIR and threat information are reflected in unit
operation plans and SOPs. Assists subordinate units in disseminating
NBC threat information to key and newly assigned personnel.
Assists the battalion chemical
staff officer in determining battalion-level training requirements.
Formulates training recommendations through frequent staff visits,
evaluations received from field training missions, and SDT and
ARTEP results. Ensures quotas are provided to subordinate battalions
for post or area NBC defense schools.
Reviews subordinate unit NBC
equipment status. Assists subordinate units to determine NBC equipment
authorizations. Forecasts NBC equipment requirements to support
future training and war reserve stockage.
Recommends to the division
chemical staff and brigade S1 concerning the assignment of chemical
personnel within the brigade. Assists the division chemical staff
with monitoring utilization of chemical personnel within the brigade.
Writes and updates the NBC
annex to the brigade SOP. Maintains and requisitions required
NBC publications.
Assists the brigade S4 in
identifying CDE and NBC equipment requirements. Ensures that adequate
quantities of CDE and NBC equipment are identified and requisitioned
to support NBC training. Assists the brigade S4 in planning the
rotation of forward pre-positioning stocks of NBCDE, decontaminants,
and fog oil.
Prepares and distributes NBC
reports received from the battalions and division. Advises the
commander on NBC defensive measures. Recommends to the brigade
S3 and the commander the employment of supporting NBC recon, smoke,
and decon units. Consolidates battalion radiation status reports
(see FM 3-3-1) and transmits this information to the division chemical staff section.
Establishes and supervises
the brigade NBC subcollection center. Coordinates NBC support
activities with appropriate host nation territorial organizations.
The brigade chemical staff
NCO works closely with the brigade chemical officer and with battalion
NBC NCOs. Through periodic staff visits, this NCO closely evaluates
NBC defense training, to include integration of NBC defense tasks
during field training exercises. Ensures that all individuals
and units can perform common individual and collective NBC tasks.
Inspects the rotation of shelf-life
items and load plans for NBC war reserve stocks. Conducts periodic
inspections of unit NBC equipment to ensure authorized equipment
is on hand and serviceable.
The battalion chemical staff
consists of--
- An assistant S3/chemical officer
(1LT or 2LT).
- An NBC staff NCO (SSG),
Their responsibilities and
duties parallel those of the brigade chemical staff section. There
are two main differences. First, a decon specialist is on the
battalion chemical staff (except in the light infantry divisions).
Second, the battalion chemical officer is the assistant S3.
Works in company operations
where he is immediately available to the company commander. Advises
on NBC matters that affect company operations.
Provides assistance and guidance
during company NBC training operations. The company NBC NCO recommends
the NBC training program. Sources are SDT and ARTEP results and
guidance from the battalion chemical staff NCO. Training areas
include--
- Ensuring NBC common task training
is being sustained by first line supervisors.
- Ensuring that leader NBC tasks
are sustained.
- Integrating NBC collective
tasks into unit training.
- Integrating NBC as a condition
for the performance of METL tasks.
Reports NBC equipment status
to the battalion chemical staff section. Periodically inspects
and supervises the operations and team maintenance of NBC equipment.
NBC equipment responsibilities include--
- Coordinating the requisition
of NBC equipment (classes II and IV) and repair parts (class IX).
- Coordinating the turn-in of
unserviceable NBC equipment with the supply NCO.
- Turning-in radiac instruments
that need to be calibrated.
- Rotating NBC equipment that
contains expiration dates.
- Performing protective mask
organizational maintenance.
- Conducting training on the
use and employment of MTOE NBC equipment.
Advises the commander on decon,
smoke, combat flame, and NBC recon support requirements. Recommends
the location for operational decon operations. Supervises and
assists in the conduct of operational decon. During either operational
or thorough decon operations, ensures contaminated personnel are
briefed on the operation and their responsibilities.
Operates out of the company
CP. Monitors reports of NBC attacks and advises the commander
on their impact. Receives NBC3 and NBC5 reports from battalion
and plots the information. Recommends and advises the commander
on--
- Contamination avoidance.
- Protective posture.
- Decon operations.
- Decon (including NBC sampling,
radiological survey, and chemical agent identification).
- Smoke and flame field expedients.
Operates and maintains the
two light decon systems (LDSs) to support battalion operational
decon operations. Receives mission guidance from the battalion
chemical officer or NCO. May be attached to a company. Receives
assistance from the supported company's NBC NCO in planning and
conducting a platoon-size operational decon missions. Also assists
the battalion NBC staff NCO in inspecting NBC equipment and evaluating
battalion NBC training and readiness.
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