Rapid Response in the Homeland

The challenge of providing a trained and ready force to respond within the continental United States in the event of a national disaster or terrorist attack is complex, and is further complicated by issues spanning financial, political, and established doctrinal paradigms within the armed services. The CBRNE Consequence Management Response Force (CCMRF) may answer this need, but not without significant changes in its design and addressing those enduring issues. The focus of this paper centers on the characteristics, requirements and implementation of the CCMRF, and considers which organization, active Federal military forces or State National Guard, is better suited for the responsibility of the CCMRF mission.