File: 970903_oct1_0034.txt
Page: 0034
Total Pages: 106

@N@g4i ggo6g
NBC Defense

(U) S. Issue - Marine Corps NBC Docn:ine

(U) a. Discussion

(U) Based on inter-riews and surveys, Marine Corps NBC doctrine is helpful and
generally contained proper basic guidance. The NBC survey asked Marines to rate
FMFM I 1 -1, OH I I -IA, FM 3-3, FM 3-4, and FM 3-5 on their helpfulness as a reference
for operations in SWA. More than one third of those surveyed indicated they had not
read Marine Corps NBC doctrine. However, of those respondents familiar with doctrine,
most said it was "helpful" to "very helpftir' (see Appendix F.-13).

(U) However, NBC specialists believe NBC doctrine is lacking in balance with
respect to the way NBC operations were conducted in SWA. The most significant
shortcomings were the unrealistic doctrinal concept for organization of decon teams
down co the company level and insufficient guidance on casualty decon. Comments
also indicated additional doctrinal guidance is needed aircraft decontamination and NBC
desert operations. in addition, Marine Corps doctrine does little to address joint
coordination operational aspects.

(U) FMFM II -1, Marine CoWs Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Operations is
still considered the central doctrinal publication of the Marine Corps for NBC. [n
January 1991, CG MCCDC published OH-1 1, MAGTF Nuclear, Chemical, and Defensive
Biological ORerations. However, OH-11 was not widely distributed to Marine forces in
SWA. Most NBC specialists believe FMFM 11-1 needs to be completely revised to
incorporate all the lessons learned in SWA. in review of OH-1 1, it appears to contain
good guidance, but in hindsight, was printed to late to be of much help in SWA.