JP 1, Doctrine for the Armed Forces of the United States - Defense ...

Chapter V
Categories of Support
General Support
That support that is given to the supported force as a whole rather than to a particular
subdivision thereof.
Mutual Support
That support that units render each other against an enemy because of their
assigned tasks, their position relative to each other and to the enemy, and their
inherent capabilities.
Direct Support
A mission requiring a force to support another specific force and authorizing it to
answer directly to the supported force’s request for assistance.
Close Support
That action of the supporting force against targets or objectives that are sufficiently
near the supported force as to require detailed integration or coordination of the
supporting action with the fire, movement, or other actions of the supported force.
Figure V-2. Categories of Support
7. Support Relationships Between Component Commanders
a. The JFC may establish support relationships between component commanders to
facilitate operations. Support relationships afford an effective means to prioritize and ensure
unity of effort for various operations. Component commanders should establish liaison with
other component commanders to facilitate the support relationship and to coordinate the
planning and execution of pertinent operations. Support relationships may change across
phases of an operation as directed by the establishing authority.
b. When the commander of a Service component is designated as a functional
component commander, the associated Service component responsibilities for assigned or
attached forces are retained, but are not applicable to forces made available by other Service
components. The operational requirements of the functional component commander’s
subordinate forces are prioritized and presented to the JFC by the functional component
commander, relieving the affected Service component commanders of this responsibility, but
the affected Service component commanders are not relieved of their administrative and
support responsibilities.
c. In rare situations, a supporting component commander may be supporting two or
more supported commanders. In these situations, there must be clear understanding among
all parties, and a specification in the establishing directive, as to who supports whom, when,
and with what prioritization. When there is a conflict over prioritization, employment, or
task organization between component commanders, the CCDR having COCOM of the
component commanders will adjudicate.
V-10 JP 1