7
Conclusion
In summary, the committee views the ACE Directive as a positive step in providing the soldier with protection against the potential adverse effects of ionizing radiation across the spectrum of radiation sources that may be encountered in military operations. In this first part of our study, we have reviewed the adverse effects attributed to radiation exposure and described methods to avoid them. Additionally, we have compared the ACE Directive with prevailing international and national philosophies of radiation protection and the existing Army framework for radiation safety.
We found that the ACE Directive is incomplete in scope and unclear in certain areas. To assist the Army in improving these areas, we have developed several recommendations. Implementation of these should provide the soldier with an acceptable level of protection from adverse effects of radiation, at least from a technical standpoint. In the second part of the study, the committee will consider those factors beyond this technical realm, that is, the ethical, moral, and legal basis for a system of radiation protection applicable to the soldier in the exercise of his or her profession.
