1963 US Army Vietnam War Armor Operations ... - Survival Books

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMoperation. There is some overlapping of duties and armored cavalry platoon leader. Whenin the battalion staff sections, and only by co- combat support and combat service supportordination and cooperation will contradictions units are attached to or placed in support ofand duplication of effort be avoided. It is es- the battalion, the commanders of these unitssential that staff officers know the duties and function as special staff officers for their fieldresponsibilities of other members of the staff of interest. For example, the commandingso that they may take over such duties in case officer of an attached or supporting engineerof emergency. The staff sections should be or- company also functions as the battalion staffganized to operate on a 24-hour basis.engineer.c. The staff officer organizes and trains his c. The fire support coordinator (FSCOORD)assistants to function in his absence. Before is normally the artillery liaison officer fromleaving the command post, he acquaints him- the supporting artillery battalion.self with the general situation, announces his d. The special staff is also found at brigadedestination and probable hour of return, and and has, in addition to the special staff officersdetermines what assistance he may give to indicated in b above, a chemical officer, chapotherstaff officers.lain, aviation officer, and food service specialist.d. The staff cultivates friendly relationshipswith the commanders of lower and attached 68. The Battalion Unit Staffunits. A staff officer must remember that he a. General. The functions, procedures, auisnot the commander but acts only in the com- thority, and responsibilities of the staff aremander's name. Commanders of lower and at- contained in FM 101-5. The responsibilitiestached units are consulted to determine their and functions of the unit staff are comparableneeds, and problems. Staff officers visit lower to those of the division general staff.units to get firsthand knowledge of the tacticalsituation and administrative conditions. Commandersor their representatives are contacted (1) The executive officer is the principalpersonally as the first and last steps of eachassistant and adviser to the battalioncommander. His functions and revisit.When conditions are observed that arecontrary to announced policies, they are calledsponsibilities are similar to those of achief of staff. He supervises the staff,to the attention of the appropriate commander.chief of taff He supervises the staff,and represents and acts for the com-Details that do not require a command decisionmander during the temporary absencemay be settled with the unit commander at theof the latter when directed to do so.time of the visit. Concise reports of facts areHe is prepared to assume commandprovided the battalion commander followingof the battalion at any time.such staff visits.(2) The executive officer is normally loe.The functions of staff officers of battalion- cated at the command post, the consizearmor units are similar to those outlinedtinuing function of which is his directfor staffs of small units in FM 101-5.responsibility. He and the commander67. Battalion Staff Organizationshould not be absent from the commandpost at the same time.The battalion staff consists of the unit staff (3) He supervises the liaison officers andand the special staff. is also the battalion informationa. The unit staff is composed of the execu- officer.tive officer, the S1, S2, S3, and S4, and the c. The Personnel Staff Officer (SI). Thesergeant major.personnel staff officer performs the functions ofb. The special staff consists of the surgeon, the personnel officer of the general-staff-typethe communication officer, the maintenance organization, the functions of the secretary ofofficer, HQ company commander, chemical the general staff, the functions of the com-NCO, mortar and Davy Crockett platoon leader, mander's personal staff, and the personnelAGO 9139A 31