MEIR Course
MEDICAL EFFECTS OF IONIZING RADIATION COURSE
The Medical Effects of Ionizing Radiation (MEIR) Course is post-graduate level instruction concerning the biomedical consequences of radiation exposure, how the effects can be reduced, and how to medically manage casualties. The training includes nuclear incidents that can occur on or off the battlefield and that go beyond nuclear weapons events. It covers thoroughly all four of the key subjects: health physics, biological effects of radiation, medical/health effects, and psychological effects.
Topic Overview: Use the link below to navigate to each section.
2. What MEIR Course is the best fit for me?
meir course options
Live Course
The MEIR live course consists of pre-course asynchronous videos (approximately 4.5 hours) that need to be completed prior to the in-person 2-day course. This course utilizes Google Drive/Documents, so we recommend using a personal computer or device to access all materials and consider bringing it to the in-person course.
Virtual Learning (VL) Course
Virtual 3 Days Course - The MEIR virtual learning course will be conducted through the Canvas Learning Management System. The course will offer approximately 21 Category 1 Continuing Education Hours of synchronous and asynchronous contents over 3 days (about 8 hours per day). It is mandatory that all students take PTDY or leave for all 3 days. Army personnel can also earn 21 DL hours credit on ATRRS for promotional credits. The course will be available for DOD personnel and civilian.
Virtual 5 Days Course - The MEIR virtual learning course will be conducted through the Canvas Learning Management System. The course offers 38.5 Category 1 Continuing Education Hours of synchronous and asynchronous contents over 5 days (about 8 hours per day). It is mandatory that all students take PTDY or leave for all 5 days. There will be components that are considered homework or classwork during those 5 days. Army personnel can also earn 40 hours credit on ATRRS for promotional credits. The course will be available for DOD personnel and civilian. Please use the VIRTUAL 5-Day - MEIR Course Application ONLY (via Google Form) to register for this course. You will be contacted directly about the result of your application.
What MEIR Course is the best fit for me?
1The in-person course hosted at the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI) in Bethesda, MD, offers an additional day at the end of the course to participate in a simulation activity at the Val G. Hemming Simulation Center. This simulation scenario will allow students to use detectors to identify radioactive sources and conduct triage and initial management of patients after a simulated radiological incident.
2The in-person course hosted at the Defense Nuclear Weapons School (DNWS) in Albuquerque, NM, is a 5-day program that includes a final field exercise using a facility on Kirtland Air Force Base. This field exercise will allow students to use detectors to identify radioactive sources and evaluate injuries after a simulated radiological incident. Registration for this course is available directly through the DNWS website only (https://www.dtra.mil/DTRA-Mission/Reference-Documents/Defense-Nuclear-Weapons-School/).
Who should participate—The MEIR course provides valuable information for military or medical personnel, including physicians, nurses, medical planners, and first responders involved in radiation preparedness. The MEIR course is also available for non-DOD personnel who are interested in radiation preparedness if there are available seats.
Course content—The postgraduate-level course addresses the following topics:
- Fundamentals of ionizing radiation
- Ionizing radiation interactions with cells and organs
- Diagnosis and treatment of acute radiation syndrome and combined injuries
- Psychological effects of radiation exposure
- Internal radiation contamination
- Radiological defense
- Radioprotection
- Hazards of ionizing radiation
- Radiation pathology
- Human exposure resulting from radiation accidents
- Consequences of nuclear weapons detonation
- Nuclear accident response by government organizations
course instructors
Click on the link below to view the course instructors information and Organizations that we work with at AFRRI. The links are to Google Forms, which may not be accessible from a government computer.
SCHEDULE
FY2025 (Oct 2024 - Oct 2025)
Live course
Click on the link below to view the course schedule and agenda. The links are to Google Forms, which may not be accessible from a government computer. New courses are updated regularly in the MEIR Schedule for FY 2025 list. The Course Agenda contains the standard schedule for the live course.
Virtual learning course
FY2026 (Oct 2025 - Oct 2026)
Live course
Click on the link below to view the course schedule and agenda. The links are to Google Forms, which may not be accessible from a government computer. New courses are updated regularly in the MEIR Schedule for FY 2026 list. The Course Agenda contains the standard schedule for the live course.
Virtual learning course
REGISTRATION
Click on the link below to register. The links are to Google Forms, which may not be accessible from a government computer. Registration can easily be accomplished from a personal computer or phone. If you encounter issues when registering with the Google Form please contact us at meir_mail-ggg@usuhs.edu.
*****Please use a personal device and NOT a military computer/account to access the links.*****
LIVE - MEIR Course Registration (via Google Form)
VIRTUAL 3-Day - MEIR Course Registration (via Google Form)
VIRTUAL 5-Day - MEIR Course Application ONLY (via Google Form)
Please note that the MEIR course taught at Defense Nuclear Weapons School (DNWS) is a 5 day course which include additional operational training and a field exercise. Registration for these courses is completed through the DNWS website https://dnws.dtra.mil. If you experience any issues with registration for a DNWS course, please contact the registrar at dtra.kirtland.ne.mbx.dnws-registrar@mail.mil.
COURSE MATERIAL
Click on the link below for the course material. The links are to Google Forms, which may not be accessible from a government computer. The link is password protected. The password is in the Welcome Letter that will be emailed to you at least one week prior to the start of the course. Please note that all materials are the property of AFRRI MEIR Course and should not be distributed without permission. Please do not share the course materials with personnel that have not attended the MEIR Course.
*****Please use a personal device and NOT a military computer/account to access the links.*****
MEIR Course Lectures (PDF) - password protected (password in Welcome Letter)
COURSE HOST REQUEST
General Information
Currently, the MEIR live course is taught by a Mobile Training Team (MTT) of two instructors over a period of 2 days. The MEIR live course consists of pre-course asynchronous videos (approximately 4.5 hours) that need to be completed prior to the in-person 2-day course.
Courses are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. The MEIR course is a training requirement for many DoD units. Requesting installations/units agree to allow non-tenant personnel (HRF, CERFP, CST, etc.) to attend the course. Exceptions may be made by the MEIR Director in special circumstances. Due to timing constraints, we can only support 5 CERFP courses per fiscal year.
Requirements (for live course)
An MTT may be scheduled at installations/units that meet the following conditions:
30 student minimum for CONUS course. 30 student minimum for OCONUS course.
Reserve/National Guard units or other units that fund the MTT's travel are not subject to the attendance minimum.
Suitable teaching area with writing space for students(classroom, theater, lecture hall, etc.)
Audio/Video capability and internet access available in the teaching area
Designated host facility Point of Contact (POC) for further coordination
Request made at least two months in advance
Funding
Active Duty Installations/Units—The MEIR course is funded by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs when hosted by active duty military installations/units. DoD military personnel, DoD civilians, National Guard personnel and allied military personnel are authorized to take the course free of charge. Civilians and contractors, may also attend for free, but only if there are open seats after all others have been seated.
National Guard Installations/Units—When the MEIR course is hosted by National Guard installations/units or the primary audience will be National Guard personnel, the hosting installation/unit must fund the MTT's travel. The host site has the option to restrict which students may attend or allow all qualified personnel to attend. The student minimum criterion does not apply in this case.
Other Installations/Agencies—Federal and state government agencies may request the MEIR course, but will be responsible for all course-related expenses. Please contact the MEIR Director for additional information.
Request to Host a MEIR Course
Please send an email to meir_mail-ggg@usuhs.edu to request a MEIR course.
Host Request FAQ
Are you able to teach the MEIR Course at OCONUS facilities?
Yes. Please contact the MEIR Director for further information at meir_mail-ggg@usuhs.edu.
Can the length of the MEIR Course be changed?
Only under special circumstances will the course be adjusted to installation/unit requests. Please contact the MEIR Director for additional details.
How can I request funding from AFRRI for student travel?
AFRRI does not fund travel for students. Students must seek funding for travel costs from their chain of command.
How far in advance do I need to submit my request to host the MEIR Course?
Please submit your requests at least two months before the start date of your anticipated class. Course dates are reserved on a first-come/first-serve basis. It is highly recommended to request the course sooner rather than later.
How much does the MEIR Course cost to host?
Free for active duty units. CONUS $3,500–$5,000; OCONUS $9,000–$15,000 for National Guard and reserve units. Precise estimates are provided on a case-by-case basis.
My installation/unit/agency is within the NCR, but I only anticipate 15 interested personnel. May I still request the course?
Yes. The student minimum is waived because there is no travel cost associated with hosting the course.
What exactly is needed for the teaching space and A/V capability?
The course utilizes PowerPoint and the teaching space needs to have an area that PowerPoint can be projected onto a screen for the entire class to view. Some lectures have audio requirements that necessitate speakers. Larger venues (theaters, auditoriums, etc.) may require microphones for the instructors. The course also utilizes Google Drive/Documents with QR codes for exams so we highly encourage that internet access is available.
VIRtual course FAQ
What are the dates for the virtual course?
Please see the VL MEIR Schedule FY 2025 and the VL MEIR Schedule FY 2026. Registration is above.
Why do I have to take leave or PTDY for the virtual course?
Students will have access to the course materials only during the course dates and for 2 weeks afterward. Each day's course materials are designed to take about 8 hours to complete. There is also a required synchronous meeting with instructors each day for discussion and content review, lasting 1-2 hours.
What is the structure/schedule of the virtual course?
Virtual 3 Days Course - The MEIR virtual learning course will be conducted through the Canvas Learning Management System. Each day's course materials will take about 8 hours to complete, including videos, readings, and quizzes. At the end of each day, there will be a required one-hour synchronous meeting with instructors for discussion and content review.
Virtual 5 Days Course - The MEIR virtual learning course will be conducted through the Canvas Learning Management System. Each day's course materials will take about 8 hours to complete, including videos, readings, quizzes, discussion posts, and writing a daily reflection essay. At the end of each day, there will be a required two-hour synchronous meeting with instructors for discussion, content review, and scenario activities.
Is this course offered on ATRSS for Army personnel?
Yes, currently, the MEIR Virtual - 5 day course is approved for 40 hours credit for promotional points. The MEIR Live Course and the MEIR Virtual - 3 day course are approved for 21 DL hours credit for promotional points. This is not a self-registered course on ATRRS, only the MEIR Director can register a student on ATRRS. Please contact the MEIR Director for further information at meir_mail-ggg@usuhs.edu.
What is the difference between the Virtual 3 days vs 5 days course?
Please refer to the table above under section "What MEIR Course is the best fit for me?" for more information.