ATTP 5-0.1 Commander and Staff Officer Guide - Army Electronic ...

Chapter 2
document is a table of organization and equipment (TOE), a modified TOE, or a table of distribution and
allowances (TDA). Commanders establish authorizations by developing a modified TOE from the TOE for
their individual units. Commanders prescribe in more detail the organization, personnel, and equipment to
be authorized to accomplish missions in specific operational environments. Commanders can change their
individual modified TOEs with Department of the Army approval.
STRUCTURE
2-26. The basic staff structure includes a COS or executive officer and various staff sections. A staff
section is a grouping of staff members by area of expertise under a coordinating, special, or personal
staff officer. A principal staff officer—who may be a coordinating, special, or personal staff officer for the
commander—leads each staff section. The number of coordinating, special, and personal principal staff
officers and their corresponding staff sections varies with different command levels. See appropriate
echelon manual, such as FM 71-100, for specifics on particular types of headquarters. Figure 2-1 illustrates
the basic staff structure and their relationships.
Commander
Figure 2-1. Staff structure
2-27. Commanders are responsible for all their staffs do or fail to do. A commander cannot delegate this
responsibility. The final decision, as well as the final responsibility, remains with the commander. When
commanders assign a staff member a task, they delegate the authority necessary to accomplish it.
Commanders provide guidance, resources, and support. They foster a climate of mutual trust, cooperation,
and teamwork.
Chief of Staff (Executive Officer)
2-28. The COS or XO is the commander’s principal assistant. Commanders normally delegate executive
management authority to the COS or XO. As the key staff integrator, the COS or XO frees the commander
from routine details of staff operations and the management of the headquarters. Division and higher units
are assigned a COS. Brigade and battalions are assigned an XO. The COS or XO ensures efficient and
prompt staff actions. The COS or XO duties include (but are not limited to) the following:
� Coordinate and direct the work of the staff.
� Establish and monitor the headquarters battle rhythm for effective planning support,
decisionmaking, and other critical functions.
� Represent the commander when authorized.
� Formulate and disseminate staff policies.
2-4 ATTP 5-0.1 14 September 2011