Chemical Officer (74)
- Officer
- Active Duty
- Army Reserve
A new frontier of defense for our country is the threat of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) weapons and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). The Chemical Officer advises the commander on issues regarding nuclear, biological and radiological warfare, defense and homeland protection. Chemical Officers also employ Chemical units in combat support with chemical, smoke and flame weapons, technology and management.
The responsibilities of a Chemical Lieutenant may include:
- Commanding and controlling Chemical operations and combined armed forces during combat and peacetime.
- Coordinating employment of Chemical Soldiers at all levels of command, from platoon to battalion and higher, in U.S. and multi-national operations.
Training:
Chemical Officer training includes completion of the Chemical Officer Basic Course (COBC), where you will learn leadership skills, tactics and operational aspects of systems and practices used in a Chemical platoon. Your training will take place in classrooms and in the field.
Helpful Skills:
Being a leader in the Army requires certain qualities. A leader exhibits self-discipline, initiative, confidence and intelligence. They are physically fit and can perform under physical and mental pressures. Leaders make decisions quickly, always focusing on completing the mission successfully, and show respect for their subordinates and other military officers. Leaders lead from the front and adjust to environments that are always changing. They are judged by their ability to make decisions on their own and bear ultimate moral responsibility for those decisions.
Advanced Responsibilities:
Chemical Officers may continue in the Operations career field, serving in Chemical Corps at ever increasing levels of leadership and responsibility.
Responsibilities of a Chemical Captain may include:
- Commanding and controlling company-sized Chemical units (200-300 Soldiers).
- Coordinating employment of Chemical Soldiers at all levels of command, from company to division level and beyond, in U.S. and multi-national operations.
- Developing doctrine, organizations and equipment for unique Chemical missions.
- Instructing Chemical skills at service schools and combat training centers.
- Serving as Nuclear, Biological and Chemical advisor to other units, including Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve organizations.