U.S. forces are globally engaged, executing missions across the full spectrum of operations and under all environmental conditions. Non-state actors or terrorists may seek to use chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) agents in attacks on U.S. forces at home and abroad. Consequently, U.S. forces must be able to protect themselves and allied or coalition forces against CBRN weapons during deployments, sustainment operations, and redeployments. The Medical Countermeasures (MCM) capability area ensures that only the safest and most effective medical countermeasures are available to the Warfighters to allow them to survive and operate successfully in CBRN environments.

MCM develops policies and programs to advance health protection for U.S. forces against CBRN threat agents. MCM advises Health Affairs (HA) and FHP&R on significant new biomedical defense strategies and the scientific, health and regulatory aspects of medical measures. Additionally, MCM ensures that the Military Health System is prepared to treat any illness or deteriorating health conditions resulting from a Warfighter’s exposure to CBRN agents.

MCM’s functional expertise is unique within HA and FHP&R in that it has both an internal and external focus. Internally, MCM subject matter experts provide support to the other FHP&R capability areas on the topics of CBRN effects, countermeasures and consequence management.

MCM also provides external situational awareness for FHP&R. It ensures that external stakeholders are aware of FHP&R and HA goals and concerns when they develop CBRN plans, programs and strategies. By performing this role, MCM allows FHP&R, HA and DoD to develop a comprehensive and stable medical countermeasures research, development and acquisition program for the highest priority CBRN threats.