Researchers never have as much money as they’d like—or at least they’ll rarely admit to having as much as they need—and DoD researchers are no exception.
But in the R&D world of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) detection, protection and response, program managers noted at a recent “industry day” event (see page 12) that collaboration throughout DoD’s many CBRN-related programs as well as with other federal agencies, academia and the private sector helps generate far more new ideas for products, treatments and procedures for the same amount of funding.
That’s like money in the bank for an area of the military that, like all others, is expected to see something of a budget squeeze over the next few years as the federal government juggles spending priorities in the face of huge, rising costs for Medicare, Social Security and more. Yes, defense against CBRN threats is no area to scrimp on; in the event of a major outbreak or attack, there will be the inevitable second guessing about how much went into planning for the worst.
But the problem, as program managers note, is that threats just never seem to emerge in the shape and manner expected, and there isn’t enough time and money in the world to prepare properly for every possible eventuality. Thus, DoD’s CBRN experts are taking the best course of action open to them, approaching the problem of predicting threats and developing solutions to them as practically as possible.
“Because there are competing demands, we have to figure out what is the best thing to do,” notes Colonel Leslie Smith, chief of chemical and commandant of the U.S. Army’s CBRN School, in this issue’s cover Q&A. “I think we do a good job, but I think we can always do better.”
How well prepared do you think our military is to handle CBRN threats? Please call or e-mail me with your comments, questions and suggestions.
Ted McKenna, Editor This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
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