Chaplains as AI Ethicists in the U.S. Army
Published 12/03/2024
By Chaplain (Major) Benjamin D. Reed
The U.S. Army Chaplain Corps, which has historically been responsible for carrying out the Army ethics mission, is favorably positioned to provide the human capital, institutional knowledge, and allocated funding necessary to execute the increasingly important artificial intelligence (AI) ethics mission in a way that is consistent with national values, democratic ideals, and ethical behavior and will advance peace and stability in support of the Army of 2030 and beyond.
Black Box feature
Published 2/5/2026
By Chief Warrant Officer Two Jessica M. Jackson
This article confronts the critical shortage of Army mental health professionals—currently just one provider for every 462 Service members—and proposes a comprehensive solution using career-bridging programs, embedded unit-level providers, and mandatory mental health first aid training to close the gap between climbing demand and inadequate capacity. Chief Warrant Officer Two Jessica M. Jackson argues that without immediate action to expand the mental health workforce and normalize early intervention, the Army risks compromising both Soldier care and mission readiness in large-scale combat operations.
Black Box feature
Published 2/5/2025
By Adam Potter, Madeline Poley-Bogan, Karleigh Bradbury, Karl Friedl, and William Tharion
This article breaks down the dangerous "razor's edge" between effective chemical protection and the severe thermal burden it places on warfighters, showcasing the innovative technologies required to keep them safe from both external and internal threats.
DINO_AVE CBRN
Published 1/9/2026
By Captain Kassi Gulliford
In this article, Captain Kassi Gulliford asserts that despite CBRN training becoming optional under updated Army Regulation 350-1, commanders who waive these requirements may be accepting risks they do not fully understand. She maintains that CBRN represents a distinct form of contact that creates an operational environment requiring consistent training—not just annual mask-donning drills, but integrated practice performing critical tasks while wearing MOPP gear under realistic conditions. Drawing on recent examples from Ukraine, including Russia's use of chloropicrin and attacks on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Gulliford warns that both weaponized and industrial CBRN threats remain relevant battlefield hazards that demand commanders engage their chemical advisors before making training decisions that could compromise unit readiness in unforeseen ways.
Integrating CBRN Training
Published 1/9/2026
By Captain Desmond A. Edwards
In this article, Captain Desmond Edwards argues that a critical training gap exists in CBRN casualty treatment within medical units. He contends that most combat medics lack sufficient knowledge to treat chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear casualties beyond administering nerve agent antidotes—a gap that persists even as CBRN training becomes optional under updated AR 350-1. Drawing from his experience developing a cross-training program in Korea, Edwards proposes a practical framework for integrating CBRN medical training to enhance unit readiness and improve treatment of contaminated casualties from point of injury through Role 2.
Deployable NATO CBRN Forces
By Major Karl Jahrsdoerfer
This article outlines how the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) would like to address its chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats. By establishing dedicated regional units, increasing funding, and enhancing cooperation with civil authorities, NATO can better protect its member states from these unconventional dangers.