FM 4-0, Sustainment - GlobalSecurity.org

Chapter 5PROVISION OF LEGAL SUPPORT5-110. Units at the BCT level and echelons above have organic legal elements to support the mission. At theBCT, the brigade legal section (BLS) is responsible for providing services in all core legal disciplines thatextend across the full spectrum of operations. The BLS mission is dictated primarily by the brigadecommander’s guidance and direction and the brigade judge advocate’s professional judgment. The level ofservice that a BLS is able to provide will depend on a number of factors, including: the brigade’s operationaltempo, the brigade’s deployment status, the experience level of the BLS, the availability of additional judgeadvocate or paralegal support during “surge” periods, and the existence of actual conflicts of interest. Whenfaced with situations where the BLS is unable to provide the proper level of service, the brigade judge advocateshould use the brigade chain of command and the JAGC technical channels to address the shortfalls.5-111. Units at division level and higher receive legal support from an Office of the Staff Judge Advocatewhich is responsible for the provision of legal services across all core legal disciplines to the appropriatecommander and General Court Martial Convening Authority. The division SJA is a personal staff officer withdirect access to the commander. In addition, SJAs typically possess logistical and professional capabilitieswhich allow them to enhance the resources of a subordinate legal section.RELIGIOUS SUPPORT5-112. Religious support facilitates the free exercise of religion, provides religious activities, and advisescommands on matters of morals and morale. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and ArmyRegulation (AR) 165-1 guarantees every American the right to the free exercise of religion. Commanders areresponsible for fostering religious freedoms. Chaplains and chaplain assistants functioning as Unit MinistryTeams (UMT) perform and provide RS in the Army to ensure the free exercise of religion (see FM 1-05).FUNDAMENTALS OF RELIGIOUS SUPPORT5-113. RS to the Army is guided by historical precedence. The three broad functions of religious supportinclude nurturing the living, caring for the wounded, and honoring the dead. These include all other specificactivities carried out by chaplains and chaplain’s assistants, as discussed below.Nurture the Living5-114. In preparation for missions that span the spectrum of conflict, UMTs develop and provide religioussupport activities to strengthen and sustain the spiritual resilience of Soldiers and family members. During theoperation, UMTs bring hope and strength to those who have been wounded and traumatized in body, mind, andspirit, thus assisting the healing process.Caring for the Wounded5-115. UMTs provide religious support, spiritual care, comfort, and hope to the wounded. This focus of RSaffirms the sanctity of life, which is at the heart of the chaplaincy. Through prayer and presence, the UMTprovides the Soldiers and their families with courage and comfort in the face of death.Honoring the Dead5-116. Our Nation reveres those who have died in military service. RS honors the dead. Funerals, memorialceremonies, and services reflect the emphasis the American people place on the worth and value of theindividual. Chaplains conduct ceremonies and services, fulfilling a vital role in rendering tribute to America’ssons and daughters who paid the ultimate price serving the Nation in the defense of freedom.KEY ASPECTS TO RELIGIOUS SUPPORT5-117. There are several additional aspects of religious support. They include:• Facilitating individual freedom of worship and observation of holy days in accordance withArmy regulations and mission requirements.5-18 FM 4-0 30 April 2009