Army Chemical Review presents professional information about Chemical Corps functions related to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, smoke, flame, and civil support operations.
Issue link: https://chemical.epubxp.com/i/68692
At the October 2011 Association of the U.S. Army conven- tion, General Raymond T. Odierno, Chief of Staff of the Army, discussed several areas that could be supported by the RCP. One of the focus areas was the Army commitment to provide specialized, small-unit capabilities that could defeat potential adversaries. Most Chemical Corps capabilities fall within this area. General Odierno also discussed the need for the Army to be responsive toward combatant commanders and to engage with our allies while building partner capacity. These are ar- eas that can be actively supported by the Chemical Corps. The questions are: Do TRADOC and the Army's senior leaders know how our Corps can assist in these efforts? And if not, how can we improve our strategic communication so that they understand our capability in helping to achieve Department of Army (DA) and TRADOC objectives? The SCP and Chemical Corps Objectives cal, and nuclear (CBRN) Soldiers; and civilians with the strategies and tactics necessary to effectively communicate with target audiences. Properly executed, the plan would focus RCP efforts; educate key leaders about the Chemical Corps and its mission; explain why leaders should support RCP efforts; and illustrate how, when, and where leaders could help. The SCP, which must be executed in conjunc- tion with the RCP, would provide guidance to internal and external audiences. I Effective strategic communication of the RCP begins with the commandant's intent and key messages. Strategic com- munication objectives should be developed and coordinated to posture the Chemical Corps for future success. Some examples of SCP objectives include— Ɣ Objective 1: Educate key leaders and target audiences. The focus of strategic communication efforts should be on the development of clear, distinctive messages to educate DQG LQIRUP &RXQWHULQJ; :0' LV D FRPSOH[ DQG GLI¿FXOW concept for even the most enthusiastic advocate to under- stand and explain. Additional time and attention should be paid to educating and informing those people and organi- ]DWLRQV ZKR FDQ GLUHFWO\ LQÀXHQFH GHFLVLRQV WKDW DI fect the Corps. For example, because reducing the amount of time that a maneuver unit spends in an elevated, mission-oriented protective posture helps maintain com- bat effectiveness, Excellence could serve as a strong advocate for equipment that allows for the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of the rapid decontamination of vehicles. Leaders of the U. S. Army Fires Center of Excellence could serve as strong advocates for more enhanced projected obscuration rounds. But have these organizations been educated and informed? Have we helped them understand that it would be in their best interest (and that of the Army) WR GHYHORS DQG ¿HOG WKHVH VSHFL¿F FDSDELOLWLHV" Summer 2012 n conjunction with the RCP, a Chemical Corps SCP would help the Corps achieve its objectives. The SCP would provide leaders; chemical, biological, radiologi- Ɣ Objective 2: Foster advocates for the Chemical Corps. :H PXVW GHYHORS D VSHFL¿F DFWLRQ SODQ IRU FRRUGLQDWLRQ with organizations and people who may be inclined to sup- port and serve as advocates for the Chemical Corps. The action plan should address the use of programs, events, and engagement opportunities to energize potential advocates WR XVH WKHLU LQÀXHQFH LQ KHOSLQJ WR DFKLHYH 5&3 REMHFWLYHV and support the Army's overarching goals. Ɣ Objective 3: Retain current leaders. It is just as important WR UHWDLQ TXDOLW\ &%51 RI¿FHUV DQG QRQFRPPLVVLRQHG RI ¿FHUV 1&2V DV LW LV WR EULQJ LQ QHZ OLHXWHQDQWV DQG DG YDQFHG LQGLYLGXDO WUDLQLQJ TXDOL¿HG 6ROGLHUV $QG LW LV less expensive to retain current CBRN Soldiers than it is to continually recruit and educate new prospects. In- vesting in our internal communication channels will help with this issue. It will also allow our CBRN warriors to be empowered, informed, and enthused about their branch and the Corps mission. Media exposure highlighting CBRN Soldier contributions and achievements is (with the SURSHU RSHUDWLRQDO VHFXULW\ IRUHLJQ GLVFORVXUH RI¿FH DQG SXEOLF DIIDLUV RI¿FH UHYLHZ DQG DSSURYDO D JRRG ZD\ to promote pride in the Chemical Corps. It also aids in recruiting and retention efforts. The Strategic Communication Audience T KH LGHQWL¿FDWLRQ RI DXGLHQFH JURXSV LQFOXGLQJ NH\ organizations and individual stakeholders) is a critical component of designing an effective SCP. Some of the NH\ RUJDQL]DWLRQV FDSDEOH RI LQÀXHQFLQJ 5&3 VXFFHVV LQFOXGH the— Ɣ 2I¿FH RI WKH 8QGHU 6HFUHWDU\ RI 'HIHQVH IRU $FTXLVLWLRQ 7HFKQRORJ\ DQG /RJLVWLFV 2I¿FH RI WKH 6HFUHWDU\ RI Defense. Ɣ -RLQW 5HTXLUHPHQWV 2I¿FH -RLQW &KLHI; RI 6WDII IRU )RUFH Structure, Resources, and Assessment (J-8). Ɣ -RLQW 3URJUDP ([HFXWLYH 2I¿FH IRU &KHPLFDO; DQG %LRORJL cal Defense. Ɣ Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Ɣ U.S. Strategic Command. Ɣ 2I¿FH RI WKH 'HSXW\ &KLHIV; RI 6WDII IRU 2SHUDWLRQV DQG Plans (G-3), Logistics (G-4), and Resource Management (G-8), DA. Ɣ U.S. Army Nuclear and Combating WMD Agency. Ɣ TRADOC. Ɣ U.S. Army Maneuver, Maneuver Support, and Fires Cen- ters of Excellence. 3HRSOH ZLWKLQ WKHVH RUJDQL]DWLRQV FDQ LQÀXHQFH WKH SODQ- ning, programming, budgeting, and execution process cycle and the systems development and acquisition cycles. Stake- holders include organizations or individuals with a direct 7