jacket may be kept open for ventilation in warm weather, but the trouser legs must be
closed. Attach the M9 detection paper to your overgarment at this time. If you are at
MOPP1, you should be able to put the rest of your protective gear (achieve MOPP4)
within 4 minutes.
c. Mission-Oriented Positive Posture Level 2. To go from MOPP Level 1 to
MOPP Level 2 (MOPP2), put on your protective overboots and continue to carry your
gloves and the carrier. The overboots take about 3 to 4 minutes to put on and lace.
Once you are at MOPP2, you can progress to full protection (MOPP4) in less than a
minute. The jacket of the overgarment may remain open in warm weather.
d. Mission-Oriented Positive Posture P Level 3. To go from MOPP Level 2 to
MOPP Level 3 (MOPP3), put on your mask and hood and continue to carry your gloves.
The jacket of the overgarment may remain open and the hood may be rolled in warm
weather. At this level, protection is almost complete but interference with work
becomes significant. The mask and hood restricts vision and heat stress becomes a
major factor.
e. Mission-Oriented Positive Posture Level 4. To go from MOPP Level 3 to
MOPP Level 4 (MOPP4), put on your protective gloves (inner cotton gloves first, then
the outer rubber gloves). Close the jacket to the overgarment, pull the hood down and
secure it. This makes protection complete, but further interferes with individual
efficiency and further increases the likelihood of heat injury.
f. Mask Only Posture. Although not a MOPP level, soldiers in a protected
environment (inside a tank or shelter which protects them from direct skin exposure to
liquid or solid agents) may be told to use mask-only posture. The mask provides
protection against inhaling chemical agent vapor. Since there is no threat from liquid or
solid agents, the overgarment, gloves, and overboots are not worn. A soldier operating
a teletype inside a sealed communications van, for example, can work far more
efficiently in mask-only posture. If the shelter is penetrated, the inside becomes
contaminated, or the soldier leaves the shelter, the soldier must assume the appropriate
MOPP level.
CAUTION:
Mask-only posture is not used when a blister agent hazard exists.
1-20. ALARM FOR CHEMICAL ATTACK
If you suspect the presence of a chemical or biological agent and do not have
your protective mask on, stop breathing and put on your mask and hood (do not zip or
fasten the hood at this time). Once you are masked, give the alarm to warn other
soldiers to put on their mask and hood immediately. The alarm can be given verbally by
yelling "Gas!" or by giving the hand and arm signal (figure 1-17). Give the warning if
one of the following occurs:
MD0534
1-21