Protective posture

MOPP - mission-oriented protective posture, level 4. 

MOPP Mission-Oriented Protective Posture, the protective clothing used by members of the U.S. military who engage in nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare. MOPP gear provides a flexible system requiring personnel to wear only that protective clothing and equipment appropriate to the threat level, work rate imposed by the mission, temperature, and humidity. 

Military Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP), 5 834-835 Military specifications, for hydrazines,... 

Mission-oriented protective posture (MOPP)-level TTPs are, in the committee s view, insufficiently flexible to permit continued operations in a dirty environment. Commanders should be provided with a wider array of protective equipment materiel and operational options. It is recommended that NWDC undertake a review of MOPP-level standards and definitions specifically to establish a mask-only condition (currently the mask is donned only at MOPP levels three and four (after the outer garment and boots)). It is equally important to provide local commanders with guidance on when to select one protection option rather than the others. It is noted that both Army and CBIRF doctrine allow employment of a mask-only posture in certain circumstances. 

Vesicants are considered to be of low technology and are relatively simple to manufacture. Barrier protection gear, otherwise known as Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP), provides significant protection if donned before exposure. During battlefield conditions, errors would be expected in the use of the MOPP gear because of stressful situations, tears in the suit, false positive or negative alarms, etc. 

Table 3-1. Mission-oriented protective posture (MOPP) levels.

Units may be granted the flexibility to raise or lower their protective posture from that recommended by higher headquarters. This may be done down to platoon level and by an element that finds itself isolated. If higher headquarters specifically denies this flexibility, then protective postures may only be raised, not lowered. 

PERCENT OF TROOPS IMMUNIZED AGAINST PREDICTED AGENTS PROTECTIVE POSTURE DETECTION POSTURE HYGIENE DISPOSITION ... 

If masks only protective posture provides required protection for predicted agent, use a value of 2. ... 

G. Handling of Contaminated Remains. Persons handling biologically contaminated remains should be in full protective posture (unless otherwise modified by medical personnel) and cognizant of the potential secondary contamination hazards. Contaminated remains must be interred in accordance with appropriate Joint Service and NATO doctrine and procedures. (See JP 3-11). 

ACE forces should avoid the TIC release hazard area as long as possible. However, if the Commander determines that ACE forces are required to operate near or within the TIC hazard area, he shall direct the conduct of an NBC Survey to determine the extent of the hazard. The ground reconnaissance team shall use protective posture as above. Additionally, the commander shall direct aerial visual reconnaissance that may provide important information on the extent of a TIC release site. 

Personnel using either the CAM or ICAM should be in full NBC protective postures. 

MOPP - Mission Orientated Protective Posture. MOU - Memorandum of Understanding. MRA/MSA - Mid -range agents / mid spectrum agents. 

There are also protective suits (Military Operational Protective Posture — MOPP) that military personel can don before a nerve agent attack. These enclose the whole body and breathing is through a respirator. Wearing MOPPs for long periods of time in hot climates is, not surprisingly, very impleasant. 

After World War I ended, work at the Edgewood medical research laboratories continued. New gas masks were developed, such as those with high-eyepoint lenses for use with binoculars, and masks with speaker diaphragms. As those who have worn mission-oriented protective posture (MOPP) gear know, one cannot really be heard through a mask. Initially, scientists at Edgewood worked on oilcloth-... 

Well-equipped, well-trained troops who apply high levels of discipline in using protective equipment are not very likely to become chemical casualties. Most casualties will have sustained respiratory injury due to failure to mask properly in time when under attack. We can speculate that as the length of time spent in protective posture increases, the percentages of casualties with skin effects will increase. Most of these effects will be from failures... 

Protective Posture. What was the level of mission-oriented protective posture (MOPP) Was there face mask or suit damage Did the face mask fit adequately When was the filter changed How well trained was the soldier in using the appropriate protective posture, in making clinical observations, and in choosing appropriate therapy Were other factors present (eg, consumption of alcoholic beverages, exposure to other chemicals, psychiatric status) ... 

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