ATP-4-90 Brigade Support Battalion Download

Mission Command 18 June 2020 2-13 support relationships most likely to be effective with the forces and capabilities available. Doctrine sets general guidelines for command and support relationships, but mission orders determine the details of the relationships. For each operation, the BCT and BSB commander develop and issue orders that clearly identify command and support relationships between BSB units and the BCT units they sustain. Changes in command relationships do not necessarily require changes in support relationships, especially if the nature of the support does not change. COMMAND RELATIONSHIPS Command relationships define responsibility and authority of a command over a subordinate unit. Army command relationships are organic, assigned, attached, OPCON, and tactical control (TACON). Command relationships create unity of effort and enable commanders to organize, direct, and employ subordinate forces with maximum effect. The type of command relationship relates to the expected longevity of the relationship between the headquarters involved and can shift throughout phases of an operation. The relationship identifies the inherent responsibilities of gaining and losing Army commanders. BCT command relationship decisions effect BSB sustainment support and task organization decisions. Three command relationships include administrative control over a unit: organic, assigned, and attached. Organic forces are those assigned to and forming an essential part of a military organization as listed in its table of organization and equipment. Assigned is the relatively permanent placement of units or personnel in an organization. Attached is the relatively temporary placement of units or personnel in an organization. OPCON is the authority to perform those functions of command over subordinate forces involving organizing and employing commands and forces, assigning tasks, designating objectives, and giving authoritative direction necessary to accomplish the mission. TACON is the authority over forces limited to the detailed direction and control of movements or maneuvers in the area of operations necessary to accomplish missions or tasks assigned. TACON is inherent in the OPCON command relationship. Command relationships provide the authority for a higher headquarters to control the unit mission and change task organization. For example, if an FSC is attached to a maneuver battalion, that battalion includes the FSC in its operations process. The battalion has the authority to issue orders to the FSC, establish priorities, change the task organization, of the FSC, assign a position or AO, and impose further command or support relationships. SUPPORT RELATIONSHIPS Support relationships define the desired purpose, scope, and effect when one organization supports another. There are four support relationships in Army doctrine: direct support, reinforcing, general support reinforcing, and general support. Army support relationships are not command authorities and are more specific than joint support relationships. Commanders establish support relationships when subordination of one unit to another is inappropriate but when support responsibilities must be established. If a command relationship is established, there is no need for a support relationship. When a command relationship exists it provides the commander adequate authority to direct the actions of the subordinate supporting unit. Commanders assign a support relationship when—  The support is more effective if a commander with the requisite technical and tactical expertise controls the supporting unit rather than the supported commander.  The echelon of the supporting unit is the same as or higher than that of the supported unit. For example, the supporting unit may be a brigade, and the supported unit may be a battalion. It would be inappropriate for the brigade to be subordinated to the battalion; hence, the echelon uses an Army support relationship.  The supporting unit supports several units simultaneously. The requirement to set support priorities to allocate resources to supported units exists. Assigning support relationships is one aspect of C2. The BSB is organic to the BCT and, therefore, no support relationship is necessary between the two units. The BSB’s A, B, and C companies are in general support to the FSCs and other BCT units. The FSCs are in direct support of a maneuver battalion. General support reinforcing and reinforcing relationships are applicable to sustainment units but are not normally used. These relationships may be appropriate in certain circumstances. Each support relationship directed in unit orders reinforces the commander's priority of ATP 4-90