FAS

Avoiding Contamination from Chem/Bio/Nuke Weapons

06.09.06 | 1 min read | Text by Steven Aftergood

Tactics, techniques and procedures that military forces should use to avoid contamination from an attack involving chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) weapons are set forth in a recent military manual (large pdf).

“The possibility that an adversary will use CBRN weapons against the United States and its allies continues to increase daily,” the manual states.

“If these weapons are used, our forces must be ready to implement the principles of CBRN defense [including] contamination avoidance, protection, and decontamination.”

“Executed at all levels and coupled with an effective retaliatory response, these fundamentals will increase the likelihood of a US victory.”

See “Multiservice Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Contamination Avoidance,” U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force, February 2006 (13.5 MB PDF).

publications
See all publications
FAS
Blog
Gil on the Hill: Who Won the Shutdown?

We came out of the longest shutdown in history and we are all worse for it. Who won the shutdown fight? It doesn’t matter – Americans lost. And there is a chance we run it all back again in a few short months.

11.25.25 | 7 min read
read more
Environment
Issue Brief
Collaborative Action in Massachusetts to Counter Extreme Heat

Promising examples of progress are emerging from the Boston metropolitan area that show the power of partnership between researchers, government officials, practitioners, and community-based organizations.

11.24.25 | 17 min read
read more
Government Capacity
day one project
Policy Memo
Tax Filing as Easy as Mobile Banking: Creating Product-Driven Government

Americans trade stocks instantly, but spend 13 hours on tax forms. They send cash by text, but wait weeks for IRS responses. The nation’s revenue collector ranks dead last in citizen satisfaction. The problem isn’t just paperwork — it’s how the government builds.

11.20.25 | 15 min read
read more
Clean Energy
Report
Report: When Ambition Meets Reality — Lessons Learned in Federal Clean Energy Implementation, and a Path Forward

In a new report, we begin to address these fundamental implementation questions based on discussions with over 80 individuals – from senior political staff to individual project managers – involved in the execution of major clean energy programs through the Department of Energy (DOE).

11.19.25 | 6 min read
read more