Author Description

1. Scope This multiservice operations publication provides tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) for planning and conducting biological-surveillance operations to monitor, detect, sample, identify, report, and evacuate samples of biological-warfare (BW) agents used against United States (US) forces. The term "biological surveillance", as used in this publication, refers to the actions taken to detect that a BW attack has occurred and identify the suspected BW agent involved. Users of this manual are nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) or chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) staff and medical officers, unit commanders, NBC noncommissioned officers (NCOs), and others involved in planning and conducting biological-surveillance operations. NOTE: The United States Marine Corps (USMC) uses the acronym METT-T (mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops available, and time). Civilian considerations are inherently measured within the context of this acronym. 2. Purpose a. The purpose of this publication is to provide commanders, staffs, and unit leaders with a reference for the planning and conduct of biological-surveillance operations. It serves as a key source document for the development of other multiservice manuals and the refinement of existing training support packages, training center exercises, and service school curriculum. b. This manual provides the commander and his staff with tools to support: * Countering a biological threat. * Providing input to support force protection (FP). * Supporting medical requirements. * Supporting the decision making process. 3. Application This publication is designed for use at the operational and tactical level. The publication will support command staff planning in preparing for and conducting biological-surveillance operations. This publication also provides guidance to biologicaldetection unit leaders and personnel for conducting biological surveillance.