File: 970903_oct1_0016.txt
Page: 0016
Total Pages: 106

Nil(:

officers in key staff billets spent'a great deal of effort coordinating issue conflicts across
staff lines.

(S) Many of the 5702 warrant officers felt their rank did not facilitate dealing
with other staff officers with comparable responsibilities.' 0 In key coordination areas
of medical and supply, NBC officers were outranked on the staff. In coordination with
CINCCENT and ARCENT, NBC officer counterparts were lieutenant colonels, majors and
captains. NBC officers, in general, all had the backing and trust of their conunanders.
This made coordination easier but did not solve (heir perceived problem Mth staff
action coordination.

(S) When staff action did not bring results, especially with supply matters, NBC
officers met and pooled ideas and resources. Coordination among NBC officers, outside
the normal chain of staff action, was a significant factor in preparing the MEF for NBC
defense. There was a great deal of cross-pollination between Ist and 2d MARDEV NBC
officers. When 2d MAPDEV fint arrived meetings were hosted by Ist MARDIV to bring
2d MARDIV up to speed on NBC issues in the KTO. This infon-nal coordination was
very effective and beneficial in the short haul. But, it did not give senior commanders
the desired visibility for NBC personnel and equipment readiness.

(U) b. Conclusions

1 OMCCLS Tape # 327, 338, 324