ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download
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07 December 2020 ATP 5-0.2-1 339 Appendix K Liaison Considerations Appendix K provides an introduction to liaison and describes the functions of liaison officers. It also describes liaison elements, including the digital element, and liaison practices and responsibilities, including those of the sending and receiving unit. INTRODUCTION TO LIAISON K-1. Liaison is that contact or intercommunication maintained between elements of military forces or other agencies to ensure mutual understanding and unity of purpose and action. Most commonly used for establishing and maintaining close communications, liaison continuously enables direct, physical communications between commands and with unified action partners. Commanders use liaison during operations and normal daily activities to facilitate a shared understanding and purpose among organizations, preserve freedom of action, and maintain flexibility. Liaison provides commanders with relevant information and answers to operational questions, thus enhancing the commander's situational understanding. K-2. Liaison activities augment a commander's ability to synchronize and focus combat power. These activities include establishing and maintaining physical contact and communications between elements of military forces and nonmilitary agencies during unified action. Liaison activities ensure— Cooperation and understanding among commanders and staffs of different headquarters. Coordination on tactical matters to achieve unity of effort. Synchronization of lethal and nonlethal effects. Understanding of implied or inferred coordination measures to achieve synchronized results. LIAISON OFFICER K-3. A liaison officer (LNO) represents a commander or staff officer to the receiving unit. LNOs transmit information directly, bypassing headquarters and staff layers. A trained, competent, trusted, and informed LNO (either a commissioned or noncommissioned officer) is the key to effective liaison. LNOs must have the commander's full confidence and experience for the mission. At higher echelons, the complexity of operations often requires an increase in the rank required for LNOs (see table K-1 for recommended liaison rank equivalents). Table K-1. Recommended liaison officer rank by echelon Echelon Recommended senior liaison rank Multinational or joint force commander 1 Colonel Corps Lieutenant Colonel Division Major Brigade, regiment, or group Captain/Master Sergeant Battalion Lieutenant/Sergeant First Class Note. 1 These include joint force commanders and functional component commanders and may also include major interagency and international organizations. K-4. As a representative, the LNO has access to the commander consistent with the duties involved. However, for routine matters, LNOs work for, and receive direction from, the chief of staff (COS) or executive officer (XO). Using one officer to perform a liaison mission conserves manpower while