FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — The U.S. Army Chemical Corps is planning to celebrate 107 years of service by holding its annual Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Regimental Week celebration June 2 through 5 at Fort Leonard Wood.
Col. Alexander Lovasz, U.S. Army CBRN School commandant, said he is looking forward to celebrating 107 years of “Dragon Soldiers.”
“We first answered the call when chemical warfare rocked the trenches of World War I and continue to adapt to the face of modern warfare today as we field unmanned aircraft systems and human-machine integration systems. There are no more versatile Soldiers in our Army than Dragon Soldiers, CBRN warriors,” Lovasz said.
According to Christy Lindberg, USACBRNS branch historian, CBRN Soldiers being referred to as dragons dates back to World War I when the dragon was chosen as a symbol of sovereignty for the Chemical Warfare Service.
“It was a creature impervious to the environment and could adapt to any threat,” Lindberg said. “The dragon is often depicted breathing fire or standing on a bomb, symbolizing the destructive power and the Chemical Corps’ ability to defeat CBRN threats.”
Col. Sedrick Jackson, USACBRNS assistant commandant, said this year’s regimental week theme of One Regiment — Driving Change and Modernizing to Forge the Way Forward, is more than a phrase, “it’s a mindset.”
“(The theme) unifies our efforts across active duty, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard. It reminds us that no matter our rank, component, or role, we move together. And that unity is what will carry our regiment boldly and confidently into the future,” Jackson said.
The CBRN Regiment is built on both technical expertise and warrior ethos, according to Jackson, and it might not always be in the spotlight, “but it’s always in the fight.”
“Our domain is broad — chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear—and our responsibilities are immense. We train for threats others would rather not think about,” Jackson added.
The Maneuver Support Center of Excellence leads the way as the proponent of protection, and Jackson takes immense pride in being part of the Protection Warfighting Function as a member of the Army Chemical Corps.
“It’s a force built on quiet professionalism, technical excellence and an unwavering commitment to protecting others,” Jackson said. “We serve as one of the Army’s key enablers within the Protection Warfighting Function, focusing on deny, enable and preserve — which nests naturally with our own core functions of protect, assess and mitigate.”
Lovasz said these core functions of protection nest perfectly with CBRN’s core functions.
“CBRN Soldiers at every echelon provide commanders information that shape the decisions that preserve lives, deny enemy action and enable friendly forces,” Lovasz explained.
Prior to regimental week, the Sgt. 1st Class Jeremiah W. Johnson Best CBRN Warrior Competition is scheduled for May 30 to June 2, with written tests, land navigation, CBRN-specific challenges, physical fitness assessments and weapons qualifications.
“Events have been specifically curated to cross all skill areas that a CBRN professional would encounter,” Lovasz said.
Winners are set to be announced during the Regimental Honors Ceremony, scheduled for 3 p.m., June 2 in Baker Theater.
The State of the CBRN Regiment address is scheduled for immediately before the award ceremony, at 2 p.m., June 2 in Baker Theater.
A Sunrise Service to honor fallen CBRN service members is being planned for 6 a.m., June 3 in Memorial Grove.
“The Sunrise Service is one of the most solemn, reflective and sacred moments of regimental week. It’s a time when those of us currently serving pause to honor the men and women who are no longer with us. It’s a tradition steeped in Army values and reverence,” Jackson said. “That moment of reflection is a powerful reminder that we are part of a profession that never forgets its own.”
Wednesday, June 4, is scheduled to begin with regimental physical readiness training at 6 a.m., at Nutter Field House. Then, a CBRN Warfighter Forum is scheduled for 9 a.m., June 4 in Fort Leonard Wood’s Digital Training Facility.
“I’m most looking forward to the leader professional development sessions and warfighter forums. These moments give us the space to connect across ranks and generations. We talk, we listen, we learn and we grow,” Jackson said. “It’s where mentorship happens and where ideas that shape the future begin to take root.”
Military and civilian spouses interested in learning more about CBRN career fields and some of the training performed at Fort Leonard Wood can participate in a spouse event at 10 a.m., June 5 at the Lt. Joseph Terry CBRN First Responder Training Facility.
The week concludes with the Green Dragon Ball. Social hour begins at 5 p.m., June 5 at Nutter Field House, and the ball begins at 6 p.m.
“The Green Dragon Ball gives service members and their families the opportunity to come together and celebrate our deep, rich history. It’s a formal setting where tradition meets transformation, and where past, present, and future leaders stand side by side,” Jackson said.
For more information, visit USACBRNS Facebook page.
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