FM 3-11 — Chemical, Biological, Radiological, And Nuclear Operations
FM 3-11 governs Army operations that assess, protect, and mitigate chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats and hazards.
- Publication number: FM 3-11
- Title: CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, AND NUCLEAR OPERATIONS
- Date: 04/10/2025
- Proponent: T2COM
- Status: ACTIVE
View FM 3-11 on armypubs.army.mil
FM 3-11 covers CBRN operations across military operations, support to Army, joint, interagency, multinational, and civil authorities, and CBRN organizations and training. It provides principles, planning, operational considerations, and a framework for integrating CBRN capabilities, units, and staffs.
Applies to: However, FM 3-11 is applicable to all members of the profession of arms.
Topics covered
- CBRN threat and hazard assessment
- Radiological hazards
- CBRN support to stability operations
- Defense support of civil authorities
- CBRN organizations and capabilities
- CBRN training
- CBRN support requests
Questions and answers
What does FM 3-11 require CBRN staffs to do with threat assessments?
CBRN staffs maintain running estimates, continuously updating threat assessments as information is received. (paragraph 3-54)
What is the most effective protective measure against industrial radiation hazards?
Due to the downwind hazards that such damage can produce, avoidance is the most effective individual and unit protective measure against industrial radiation hazards. (paragraph 1-56)
What must operational planners consider when CBRN capabilities reside in the reserve component?
Many CBRN unit capabilities reside in the reserve component; therefore, operational planners consider the time required for mobilization. (paragraph 1-31)
What principles guide decontamination site planning during a gap crossing?
Decontamination sites must be incorporated into gap crossing planning, which is guided by the principles of speed (decontaminate only as necessary), priority (decontaminate the most essential items first), and limited area (decontaminate as close to the site as possible to limit spread). (paragraph 2-165)
What CBRN training do platoon leaders and platoon sergeants conduct?
Platoon leaders and platoon sergeants conduct CBRN readiness inspections and implement the CBRN core functions of assess, protect, and mitigate during walk and run phases. (paragraph 3-76)