Combat functions

Watkin 2010, pp. 690-93 and Pomper 2012, p. 189 (for a discussion of the combat support and combat service support functions common to regttlar armed forces and organized armed groups). See also Watkin 2010, pp. 683-86 (for a discussion of combat function, in contrast to continuous combat function ). Note that even the ICRC Interpretive Guidance 2009, p. 16 links membership to continuous combat function and ultimately a direct part in hostilities. 

Watkin 2010, pp. 691 ( Such a [combat] function would involve combat, combat support, and combat service support functions, carrying arms openly, exercising command over the armed group, carrying out planning related to the conduct of hostilities, or other activities indicative of membership in an armed group ). 

ICRC Interpretive Gnidance 2009, pp. 33-35, tmd Watkin 2010, pp. 683-686 (this is a result that occurs whether the narrower criteria of the continuous combat function test foimd in DPH Study is used, or the combat function test used by others including the author is applied). 

The questions most frequently raised by the War Department were Could the Chemical Warfare Service be eliminated and its duties distributed among other services Could the Chemical Warfare Service be relieved of combat functions and its activities limited to technical and supply duties and to defensive training ... 

Several problems yet remained, such as formal confirmation of combat functions for the CWS, clarification of training responsibilities for CWS units, the adjustment of the Army Supply Program to handle prospective United Nations requirements, and clarification of Air Force requirements together with improvement in co-ordination of the manufacture of chemical... 

There were two reasons for deferring a decision of the exact mobilization date for chemical troop units. First, there was general agreement that other types of combat units would be more urgently needed in the initial stages of an essentially defensive protective mobilization second, there was continuing uncertainty within the War Department as to the exercise of combat functions by the CWS. 

Ensuing instructions were to the effect that the CWS would retain its combat functions, but that "combat units of Chemical Warfare Service will be limited to those now in being and future augmentations of the Army will make no provision for additional units of this character. The Chief, CWS, was at the same time directed to "determine and report upon his future needs for Reserve officers with the possibility of reducing the enrollment in the two Chemical Warfare Service ROTC units, or if need be, the elimination of one of the units. ... 

Although the 1940 staff proposals referred to above had to do with the exercise of combat functions by the Chemical Warfare Service, the crux of this matter was armament. The question of the official status of the 4.2-inch chemical mortar had been brought up so frequently by the CWS that it was almost continuously under study by the General Staff after 1933. ... 

IX. PARTIAL MOBILIZATION 1939-41. . Chemical Troops in the Emergency Period. The Question of Combat Functions. . . ... 

This basic combat logic may be enhanced by three additional functions (1) defense, which adds a notional ability to agents to be able to withstand a greater number of hits before having their state degraded, (2) reconstitution, which adds a provision for previously injured agents to be reconstituted to their alive state, and (3) fratricide ( or friendly fire), which adds an element of realism to ISAAC combat by making it possible to inadvertently hit friendly forces. 

T oods packaged in flexible containers and processed for commercial sterilization are a part of the trend toward improved quality in convenience foods. The retorted pouch has the package integrity of the metal can coupled with the food quality, reheating, and serving convenience of frozen, boil-in-the-bag foods (1). Its use for combat rations has especially interested military R D personnel because of the functional advantages over the metal can (2). 

These are generated by the liver during infections and other forms of inflammatory challenge, as part of the acute-phase response. This response to infection is characterised by fever, sleep, adrenotrophic hormone release, decreased plasma iron and zinc levels, elevated neutrophils in the bloodstream and enhanced cytokine production. These changes, part of the body s response to combat infection, occur within hours. The elevated temperatures may inhibit the replication of some bacteria and viruses and may also enhance the function of some immune cells. 

Myeloperoxidase is an extremely potent, antimicrobial protein that is present in neutrophils at up to 5% of the total cell protein. Its role in the killing of a wide range of bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa and mammalian cells (e.g. tumour cells) is well established from in vitro studies. It also plays an important role in the inactivation of toxins and the activation of latent proteases, as well as in other functions described in section 5.4.1. In view of this apparent central role in neutrophil function during host defence, one would think that any deficiencies in this enzyme would have disastrous consequences on the ability of the host to combat infections. Until the early 1980s, this key role for myeloperoxidase in host protection seemed substantiated by the extremely low incidence of reports of patients with deficiencies of this enzyme. Indeed, up to this time, only 15 cases from 12 families had been reported worldwide. Sometimes these patients were asymptomatic but often suffered Candida infections, particularly if their myeloperoxidase deficiency was also associated with diabetes mellitus. 

We had made it easy for the volunteers by providing for all their basic needs, and scheduling their tasks in an orderly manner within a clearly demarcated life space. It was clear that greater realism would have shown even more plainly how completely disabled a similar team would be in an actual combat environment. In a more realistic situation, stimulus overload would undoubtedly cripple their capacity to function. 

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