"Step Out of the Ordinary" and join a branch of professional Dragon Soldiers dedicated to the defense of our nation. As a CBRN Specialist you will plan, employ, and coordinate CBRN defense systems in support of joint and combined arms operations including CBRN reconnaissance systems, biological agent detection systems (BIDS), obscurant systems, CBRN decontamination systems, and other CBRN hazard detection and warning systems. In addition, CBRN Specialists coordinate assets and efforts for weapons of mass destruction (WMD) force protection programs, CBRN defense support to civil authorities, CBRN vulnerability analysis, CBRN sensitive site assessment/exploitation, WMD elimination, technical escort operation, CBRN reconnaissance, and CBRN decontamination. The Chemical Branch provides the Army with a highly trained corps of CBRN experts.

Some of your duties as a CBRN Specialist may include:

• Assist in the establishment and application of CBRN defense measures
• Provide training advice and supervision regarding the proper use and maintenance procedures for CBRN equipment and operations
• Operate and perform operator maintenance on smoke generating equipment, CBRN identification/detection and decontamination equipment
• Train military and civilian personnel first responders on CBRN response operations
• Operate and maintain CBRN detection and decontamination equipment
• Unique Duty Position: Biological Integrated Detection System (BIDS) Team; STRYKER NBC Reconnaissance Platoon; Technical Escort Battalion; CBRN Specialist in Airborne, Air Assault, Special Forces and Ranger Units

Job training for a CBRN Specialist requires nine weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and 10 weeks of Advanced Individual Training and on-the-job instruction. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field. Some of the skills you'll learn:

• Operation and maintenance of CBRN Detection, Monitoring, and Decontamination Equipment
• Performance of Individual and Unit CBRN defensive actions
• Storage, issue, and repair of CBRN Defense Equipment
• Preparation of unit CBRN defense Standard Operating Procedures
• Wear and use of individual CBRN protective equipment
• Performance of duties as the primary CBRN defense advisor in a unit
• Operation of automated systems to predict and warn of CBRN hazards
• Hazardous Material Certification (at the Awareness level)
• All Soldiers attending MOS 74D AIT are required to train at the chemical defense training facility where they will be exposed, while wearing CBRN protective equipment, to toxic agents

Helpful attributes include:

• An ability to communicate effectively
• An interest in algebra, chemistry, physics, geometry and trigonometry
• An ability to plan and organize
• An ability to work calmly under stress

Advanced level CBRN Specialist provides guidance, supervises and trains other Soldiers within the same discipline. As an advanced level CBRN Specialist, you may be involved in:

• Supervise CBRN reconnaissance/survey/decontamination operations
• Serve as company or battalion CBRN Specialist
• Unique Duty Positions: Biological Integrated Detection System (BIDS) Team; STRYKER NBC Reconnaissance Platoon; Chemical Reconnaissance Det (SF Group); Technical Escort Bn; CBRN Specialist in Airborne, Air Assault, Special Forces, & Ranger units

The skills you learn as a CBRN Specialist will help prepare you for a civilian career with federal, state and local governments, including law enforcement and civil defense agencies. In addition, personnel managers in Homeland Security, Consequence Management, Environmental Protection, and many other civilian career fields are looking for employees with skills and experience you will acquire as a CBRN Specialist.

Learn more about the relationship between military training and civilian certification requirements.