Document Page: First | Prev | Next | All | Image | This Release | Search

                                                                                               NL3C D(!fcnse




                                              THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED


                                              EXECUTRVE SUNEVLARY

                       Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) warfare is a known threat that is
                increasing in magnitude through proliferation of manufacturing and delivery capabilities
                to tliii-d-world countries. At the onset of Desert Shield, Iraq had the greatest Chemical
                and Biological (CB) warfare capability in the third world.

                       This battle assessment study addresses the key issues perrair@ng to Nuclear,
                Biological, and Chen-dcal (NBC) defense surfaced through analysis of data collected
                throughout the Marine Corps sector of operations shortly after the cessation of [ MEP
                offensive operations.

                       Because NBC defense impacts on all Marine Corps mission areas, a broad base
                collection effore was undertaken in an attempt to put NBC defense issues in proper
                perspective. Data was collected through structured interviews wich numerous NBC
                specialists and medical officers. NBC survey questionnaires were distributed to obcain
                additional insight and statistical data on key issue areas over a broad range of rt-@litary
                specialties and rank. This study was organized in a manner co facilitate follow-on
                studies and n-ission area analysis. Issues and data collected were focused under [he
                broad analysis cacegories of. NBC OrganizaEion, NBC Operations, NBC Training and
                Readiness, and NBC Materiel and Logistics. Major findings surfaced perrair@ng to these
                analysis categories are:

                       NBC Orzanizarion

                       o MEF ur@rs relied heavily on provisional NBC team formation to support
                maneuver unit decontamination.

                       o Marine Corps policy for additional duty NBC team assignment down to
                company and squadron levels did nor work in SWA.

                       o NBC officers were concerned about not having a visible focal point for NBC
                defense policy and joint service coordination issues at HQMC.

                       o NBC officers are concerned about not having a clear career progression and the
                apparent indiscriminate assignment of NBC officer-s to key staff positions without regard
                for rank and experience.

                                              THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED





                                                            v

Document Page: First | Prev | Next | All | Image | This Release | Search