Photo By Imani Games | Dr. Jessica Tague is suited up in Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP),...... read more read more
U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center (DEVCOM CBC) scientists integrated with the 23rd Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Battalion in South Korea to experience the physical and tactical realities of the field, generating critical insights to develop safer, faster, and more intuitive equipment for the warfighter.
On May 2, 2026, three scientists from the DEVCOM CBC Research and Operations Directorate deployed to the Republic of Korea (ROK). To bridge the gap between laboratory research and operational reality, Dr. Jessica Tague, Dr. Emma Sarles, and Emily Stricklin participated in the Scientists in Action Program. Hosted by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, this program integrated the scientists directly with the 23rd CBRN Battalion, allowing them to evaluate current capabilities in a realistic operational environment.
The scientists fully immersed themselves in understanding the experiences of warfighters deployed in the ROK. Residing in communal barracks and eating field rations, the team trained on M4 weapon systems, participated in site exploration training alongside Soldiers on decontamination lines.
The critical milestone of the capability assessment occurred when the team suited up in full Mission Oriented Protective Posture 4 (MOPP4) gear to operate a decontamination line and conduct sensitive site assessments. The physical toll of the protective equipment became immediately apparent.
"It was 75 degrees and sunny, and we still got dehydrated and incredibly hot," explained Stricklin, a biologist at the Center. "The warfighters do this on days when it is 90 degrees. We realized just how many personnel legitimately require medical attention due to heat strain and water loss. That reality was eye-opening."
Experiencing this tactical environment firsthand fundamentally shifted how the team approaches their research. Sarles, a research biomedical engineer at the Center, noted that the immersive experience highlighted the critical factor of operational time scales in the field.
"When we are setting up experiments in the lab, we're thinking through scenarios where exposure, decontamination, and countermeasures happen fast," Sarles said. "In the field, that’s very unrealistic. Seeing the time scales at which going into a target occurs, how long people are in MOPP, and how long it actually takes to get somebody decontaminated completely changes your perspective."
This firsthand insight reinforced the critical importance of the Center's ongoing research and provided a roadmap for how it can adapt its projects to meet frontline challenges.
"It gave me validation that the biological work we do truly matters," said Tague, a research biologist at DEVCOM CBC.
To better support these units, the team identified a pressing need to simplify tactical gear. They recognized that the end-users of chemical and biological defense equipment range from highly specialized warrant officers to junior enlisted Soldiers with no formal scientific background.
Beyond adjusting their individual research portfolios, the team identified an immediate opportunity for DEVCOM CBC to support forward-deployed units—repurposing decommissioned, unused lab equipment. By sending older equipment to training sites like the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in the ROK, DEVCOM CBC can help the Army construct highly realistic, modernized training environments.
Having returned to the laboratory, the three researchers are ready to adjust their research priorities based on what they learned in the field. Ultimately, this deployment underscores the Center’s enduring commitment to the warfighter. By continually aligning laboratory research with tactical realities, DEVCOM CBC ensures that Soldiers are equipped with the best possible technology—gear that mitigates physical strain, simplifies complex tasks, and enables them to complete their missions quicker and more safely.
| Date Taken: | 09.01.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.01.2026 14:49 |
| Story ID: | 573687 |
| Location: | ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 34 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Training Enables Researchers to Better Support Soldiers, by Imani Games, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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