Paratroopers of Charlie Company, 3-509th Parachute Infantry Regiment maneuver under concealment of the M75 SOM

Smoking Guns: Lessons Learned from M75 SOM Squad Live Fire Integration

By Captain Mitchell Klema and First Lieutenant Christopher Doyle

Read Time: < 7 mins

How can paratroopers effectively maneuver under fire when standard smoke grenades fall short? Discover how the Arctic Dragons braved freezing Alaska temperatures to test the ground-breaking M75 Smoke Obscuration Module, revealing critical lessons about weather, timing, and tactical adaptability. Dive into this gripping analysis of how a chemical unit is revitalizing the lost art of battlefield obscuration to empower the modern infantry squad.

An M198 howitzer fires during a live-fire demonstration surrounded by massive fireballs and smoke columns.

Read Time: < 8 mins

The Lasting Effects and Dangers of Not Training on CBR Threats: The Impact of the 2025 U.S. Army Policy Change

The U.S. Army’s 2025 policy change removing the mandate for annual Chemical, Biological, and Radiological (CBR) training trades critical battlefield survivability for short-term resource reallocation. While intended to free up time for modernization ...

By MAJ Karl Jahrsdoerfer

Soldiers practice casualty evacuation, loading a simulated wounded soldier onto a litter in snowy conditions during cold-weather medical training.

Read Time: < 5 mins

Decontamination in Extreme Cold Weather: Operational Viability of HEPA Vacuum Systems for CBRN Response

Traditional liquid-based decontamination systems are unviable in extreme cold weather, as they freeze on contact, damage sensitive equipment, and cause severe hypothermia. Recent ERDC CRREL testing proves that high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) v...

By 1LT Jackson Riley

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), use ultraviolet
light to check for contamination on their gloves in a simulated exercise at
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Nov. 20, 2025. During the exercise,
the detachment was evaluated on advanced tactical proficiencies
needed to deploy in support of special operations. 1st SFG(A) conducts
special operations throughout the U.S. Indo-Pacifc Command area of
responsibility to support command objectives and U.S. national interests.
The group maintains and employs units capable of executing the full
spectrum of special operations at a moment’s notice with allies, partners,
and the joint force. Committed to excellence and the pursuit of tactical
mastery, the group aims to uphold its legacy as the Indo-Pacifc’s preferred
and most lethal special operations entity.
(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Martin)

Read Time: < 10 mins

Hard to Find, Hard to Kill: Foundational Protection in a Transparent Battlefield

Chief LaPlant currently serves as the CBRN Warrant Officer Instructor at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He holds a bachelor's degree in computer animation from the International Academy of Design and Technology in Tampa, FL.

By Joshua LaPlant

Read Time: < 7 mins

Developing CBRN Situational Understanding for Decision Support

Integrated early warning systems strengthen CBRN decision-making by fusing environmental monitoring, ISR, and emerging sensor technologies to detect, identify, and characterize chemical and biological threats across competition and conflict, preservi...

By Dr. Alan C. Samuels

Pine Bluff Arsenal: A Storied Past, A Transformed Future
For over eight decades, Pine Bluff Arsenal has served as a cornerstone of the Chemical Corps and a vital support hub for the American Warfighter. Today, the installation is undergoing a bold, strategic transformation into the "Arsenal of Tomorrow," l...

By Colonel Matthew C. Mason
Rediscovering Forgotten Lessons: Strengthening Army Readiness for Arctic Operations
Forgotten Arctic warfare lessons are resurfacing to strengthen Army readiness, highlighting how cold weather alters CBRN threats, detection, and decontamination—and why reintegrating historical research with modern technology is critical for future o...

By CPT Michael McCallister
2022 Honorees of the U.S. Army Chemical Corps
Ms. Lindberg profiles 2022 Chemical Corps Hall of Fame inductee SFC Jeremiah Johnson, killed in the 2017 Niger ambush, and Distinguished Member inductee SGM William Jackson for decades of post-service community contributions.

By Ms. Christy L. Lindberg
The 184th Chemical Platoon: The Most Decorated Unit of the Chemical Corps
Dr. Thiel chronicles the heroic actions of the 184th Chemical Platoon, 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam, documenting valor awards earned through cave clearing, firefighting, casualty rescue, and aerial combat missions.

By Dr. John E. Thiel
Chief of Chemical and Commandant: U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear School
The 32nd Chief of Chemical reflects on critical priorities for the Chemical Corps, emphasizing people-first initiatives and modernization efforts to ensure readiness for large-scale combat operations in complex CBRN environments through 2030 and beyo...

By Brigadier General Sean Crockett
Regimental Chief Warrant Officer
Annual message highlighting key achievements including establishment of Proponent Warrant Officer position, MOS 740A presence at 1st Special Forces Command, first WOILE Technical Follow-On Course, and welcoming eight new CBRN warrant officers.

By Chief Warrant Officer Four Matthew D. Chrisman
Regimental Command Sergeant Major
CSM Henderson discusses Chemical Corps Regiment changes including force structure transitions, CBRN equipment testing, training program updates at Fort Leonard Wood, CDTF hairstyle policy changes, and DA PAM 600-25 revisions.

By Command Sergeant Major David C. Henderson
Chief of Chemical and Commandant: U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear School
The 34th Chief of Chemical outlines four lines of effort for USACBRNS: driving future force changes, promoting leader development, caring for personnel and families, and training warriors of character in CBRN defense capabilities.

By Colonel Alexander C. Lovasz
The Razor's Edge: Balancing Chemical Protection and Thermal Strain in CBRN Operations
Explore how USARIEM balances life-saving CBRN protection with the critical risks of thermal strain through advanced biophysical modeling, thermal manikins, and real-time physiological monitoring. This article details the innovative strategies used to...

By Adam Potter, Madeline Poley-Bogan, Karleigh Bradbury, Karl Friedl, and William Tharion
A Future of Rapidly Deployable NATO CBRN Forces
NATO's CBRN policies and training are robust, but without dedicated rapid-response units, the Alliance remains vulnerable to emerging threats. Forward-deployed multinational forces, improved funding, and stronger civil-military integration are essent...

By Major Karl Jahrsdoerfer
Shortage of Qualified Mental Health Professionals
The U.S. Army needs more mental health professionals—fast. Here’s a look at a practical DOTMILPF framework to boost staffing, place providers where soldiers need them, and build a culture where seeking help is strength.

By CW2 Jessica M Jackson
Aligning Strategy with Structure
This comprehensive analysis examines how the U.S. Army maintains strategic readiness through the integration of national strategic documents with force structure planning and resource allocation processes. The article explores the critical relationsh...

By Sergeant Major Jody L. Mease
Are We Managing, Mismanaging, or Hoarding Talent? An Experience-Based Perspective
This article examines critical flaws in the U.S. Army's talent management system from an active-duty enlisted perspective. Sergeant Major Riley argues that while Army Talent Management (ATM) appears logical in theory, it suffers from significant exec...

By Sergeant Major Gedney P. Riley
The Need for 740's in BTCs
The Line of Departure is the premier platform for accessing the latest articles, insights, and discussions from official U.S. Army branch journals. Designed to fuel your Professional Military Education (PME) journey, our mobile-friendly hub empowers ...

By Captain Chase B. D'Amato and Chief Warrant Officer Four Mazie C. Benefield
USACBRNS Force Modernization Process and Integration
This article from the Army Chemical Review outlines the U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear School (USACBRNS)'s approach to force modernization. It details how the Army integrates new capabilities across the DOTMLPF-P (Doctrine,...

By Mr. Jeffery D. Phillips, Mr. Joseph E. Call, and Mr. Larry M. Quade