FM 101-5 Staff Officers' Field Manual The Staff and Combat Orders

43-46 STAFF DOCTRINES AND FUNCTIONSmander. In highly mobile units such as armored units, itmay be necessary for each staff section to keep its ownjournal.d. The journal is closed dally or at the end of a phase orperiod as determined by higher authority.e. The journal Is a permanent record of the operationsof the unit and is annexed to reports after action againstthe enemy (AR 345-105). Original entries should not bealtered but supplemented when necessary by later entries.• 44. SITUATION MAPS.—a. In corps and higher units, and indivisions when the personnel of the general staff sections Isadequate, each general staff section keeps a situation mapposted to date showing the dispositions and activities thatconcern the section. Data should be posted on the map assoon as received, after which the items should be enteredin the journal. In divisions, when the personnel of thegeneral staff sections Is Inadequate, a joint G-2—G-3 situation map and a joint G-l—O-4 situation map may suffice.b. (1) In most brigades and smaller units, a combinedsituation map kept under the supervision of the unit executive Is usually sufficient.(2) In highly mobile units such as armored units, eachstaff section keeps Its situation map up to date even whilemoving.c. Situation maps showing the situation at a particulartime are often prepared as appendixes to special or periodicstaff reports to permit the written contents of reports tobe reduced to a minimum (appendix HI).• 45. OPERATION, ADMINISTRATIVE, AND CIRCULATION MAPS(appendix HI).—a. Operation maps are prepared and issuedby the G-3 (S-3) section.b. Administrative and circulation maps are prepared andissued by the G-4 (S-4) section.• 46. REPORTS.—a. The character and scope of staff and unitreports will vary with the requirements of the commanderor the higher headquarters at the time the reports are calledforḃ. The merit of a report Is not measured by Its length. Aconcise presentation of Important points usually Is all thatIs required.30