Chief of chemical.

Dragon Soldiers, another great edition of Army Chemical Review! I am proud to report that our Corps is advancing on all fronts.

On 28 June 1918, President Woodrow Wilson ordered the establishment of the Chemical Warfare Service as a separate branch of the National Army. Therefore, 2008 marks the 90th anniversary of the founding of our branch, and this edition of Army Chemical Review commemorates that fact. We will celebrate this milestone 22-28 June 2008 here at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri-the home of the Chemical Corps. (Seepage 4 for a schedule of events) If you can't be here with us-and I truly hope you'll be able to join us-then I ask you to reflect during that week about the service of our Corps to the Nation and how it has always been the Dragon Soldiers who make our Corps the greatest in the Army.

The theme for this year's Regimental Week is "From Gas Attacks to CBRN Response: 90 Years of the Dragon Soldier." I didn't dream up this theme, but I wish I had. Because, to me, it perfectly captures the idea that our Corps was founded by Soldiers. Despite all odds and despite skepticism and outright hostility at times, Dragon Soldiers strived and succeeded in training, equipping, and protecting their comrades from the dangers of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapons.

Major Charles Heller, in his seminal paper, "Chemical Warfare in World War I: The American Experience, 1917-1918," speaks eloquently of the difficulties faced by Dragon Soldiers in 1918 while training other Soldiers to use the uncomfortable equipment that protected them from mustard and other agents.' Although much has changed in ninety years, some things stay the same. We must continue training Army forces to survive and win in CBRN environments, despite the discomforts and challenges of operations in those ...