The Military’s Response to Domestic CBRNE Incidents

Abstract

The military’s increasing role in response to CBRNE events throughout the US has resulted in the need for a re-structuring of military forces. The development of the CBRNE Consequence Management Enterprise is a prime example of the military’s effort to support federal, state, and local disaster response agencies. The National Guard improved their response capabilities through the development of 57 Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams, 17 CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Packages and 10 Homeland Response Forces. With their additional manpower, equipment, and response capabilities the active duty military still has a vital disaster response role. The active duty military does, however, have a primary mission of fighting and winning wars, therefore it is only practical to utilize the National Guard as the main element of a response to a major CBRNE incident. National Guard units are less restricted by both the Posse Comitatus Act and the Title 10 US Code (USC) allowing them greater flexibility during response to CBRNE events. Civilian leaders responsible for leading National Guard units must be well versed in the laws, structure and tactics pertaining to National Guard forces and must be familiar with the National Guard’s capabilities and limitations.