Ground forces operating in the nuclear environment will face exposure to radiation as a normal hazard of battle. Commanders must consider the effects of radiation on the combat efficiency of their units and their ability to accomplish assigned missions. Radiation will influence the commander's decisions on the battlefield; a system of radiation exposure control is necessary to permit an evaluation of relative hazards. The fundamental requirements of a radiation exposure control system are the abilities to determine radiological status of a unit prior to exposure, to measure or predict any new dose to a unit with accuracy and to assess the effect of any new exposure upon the previous radiological status in terms of unit effectiveness. This, in turn, requires a method of determining basic radiation exposure data, a system of recording this data, and a system of utilization to permit assessment of the effect of subsequent radiation on unit effectiveness. The capability of measuring radiation exposure is severely handicapped by the inability of the current tactical dosimeter, the IM-93/UD, to measure neutrons, a significant contributor to initial radiation. Since "type classification" of a replacement dosimeter is at least five years in the future, there is a requirement for an interim system which utilizes current measurement capability. The best approach appears to be the application of tabulated "neutron weighting factors" which, when multiplied by the gamma dose readings, will provide an indication of total dose. The distribution of dosimetric devices within units is subject to question and requires further analysis. The system of recording, based on troop test experience is judged to be adequate. The system for utilization of the measured and recorded data suffers from a serious defect. The determination of company and particularly of battalion radiation status provides no useful information for the commander and worse, may lead him to an incorrect conclusion. Since the battalion radiation status normally is the only radiation exposure information provided to brigade and division commanders, this deficiency is a serious problem. The addition of a fourth radiation status category, as proposed in a Combat Developments Command Institute of Nuclear Studies report, only serves to further complicate the current system. The best format of transmission of radiation exposure data to higher headquarters appears to be as the radiation status of the basic data-measuring unit, currently the platoon. This requirement for transmission of platoon data suggests consideration of basic reorganization of the combat structure with the platoon as the basic unit, attached to company headquarters based upon the requirements of the mission, to include anticipated radiation exposure. Finally, a lack of detailed medical knowledge of the effects of radiation limits the validity of guidance provided by the radiation exposure control system. Lack of information on recovery from radiation injury prohibits valid assessment of residual injury from previous exposures, the effect of chronic or protracted doses and the effect of recovery or repair in determining future vulnerability. This limitation, along with lack of ability to accurately assess partial-body irradiation results in a system employing conservative medical criteria and relying heavily on the medical judgment of the surgeon, which in part must be based on close association with the exposed personnel. Recent centralization of battalion surgeons at division level appears to have a potentially deleterious effect on the provision of required radiation advice to the battalion commander. The overall conclusion of the thesis is that the current system of radiation exposure control is incapable of providing the commander on the nuclear battlefield with the required information.

ADA 067462 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)