Training for Casualty Management

The committee s findings and recommendations are presented in four sections Medical Training for Casualty Management, Technical and Operational Shortfalls Drugs and Vaccines, Technical and Operational Shortfalls Medical Diagnostics, and Disease Reporting and Analysis. Medical policy issues specific to each area are addressed in the respective sections. 

Medical training is an important basis for successful defense against chemical or biological attack. Training needs are broad how to recognize the signs of an attack, how to protect medical forces from contamination, how to contain 

Navy Deficiencies in Chemical and Biological Medical Defense Training 

While specific medical training needs vary, overall the Navy is severely deficient in many areas of chemical and biological medical defense training. Several changes will be needed to rectify the problems. Some of these changes will run counter to current Navy culture and practices and will therefore require directives or orders from the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) or other appropriate authority to implement them. 

2General Accounting Office. 2001. Chemical and Biological Defense DOD Needs to Clarify Expectations for Medical Readiness, GAO-02-38, Washington, D.C., October 19. 

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