The biggest threat to America today is too often the one we think about the least. Nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare has been around for decades and the effects of an NBC attack on the homeland or American interests abroad is a very real scenario. 

Retired Lt. Gen Leslie Smith spent a career in the Army as a Chemical Officer. He served as the Chief of the Chemical Branch and Commandant of the United States Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear School. He was the first Chemical officer to serve as the Commanding General of the United States Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and the first Chemical officer to serve as the Army's Inspector General. He is now the Vice President for Leadership and Education at the Association of United States Army.

With reports looming about Russian willingness to use NBC weapons in Ukraine, and Iran’s constant desire to acquire them and put them into the hands of terrorist proxies, Fran Racioppi sat down with Lt. Gen. Smith to discuss the real threat America faces. 

We broke down the history of America’s Chemical weapons programs, their use in various stages of conflicts, the implementation of international prohibitions, how the US Army prepares for NBC threats, and what we learned about their modern day use through the COVID pandemic. 

Lt. Gen. Smith also shared insight into the important role the Inspector General plays in maintaining standards and accountability within the Army, as well as the role AUSA is playing in supporting soldiers both active duty and post-service. 

Watch, listen or read our conversation from the Association of the United States Army HQ and don’t miss the rest of our AUSA series.

Highlights

• 0:00 Introduction
• 4:00 Importance of chemical warfare
• 7:30 The likelihood of chemical warfare
• 8:22 Anthrax on 9/11
• 11:45 Will anyone use NBC weapons
• 14:07 The lessons of COVID-19
• 16:18 Joining the Army
• 19:55 America’s projection of power
• 22:22 The role of the Army Inspector General
• 27:36 Do Army Standards Matter
• 31:11 Have we lost the mission?
• 33:18 Maintaining the Army
• 36:50 The role of AUSA
• 39:26 Daily Habits

Quotes

• “The Germans used it, and the Americans were not ready to go.”
• “That’s what CBRN stands for: Could Be Right Now.”
• “At the higher levels, it’s all about building coalitions of people.”
• “We don’t know what’s next, we just have to be prepared to deal with the situation.”
• “The leader has to be at the decisive point.” 
• “When you have boots on the ground, it sends a signal.”
• “ A leader’s presence only matters when you are present.”
• “What leaders do is talk about what needs to happen in organizations.”
• “We have to make sure that the soldiers trust us, the nation trusts us, Congress trusts us, our leaders trust us and the things that we do.”
• “Inspector generals are training multiple generations of leaders.”
• “Every leader is responsible for enforcing the standard.”
• “Climate beats strategy.”
• “Everyone is looking for their sense of purpose.”

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