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

DOCTRINES 2-3b. The staff secures and furnishes such information as maybe required by the commander, prepares the details of hisplan, translates his decision and plan into orders, and causessuch orders to be transmitted to the troops. It brings to thecommander's attention matters which require his action orabout which he should be Informed, makes a continuous studyof the situation, and prepares tentative plans for possiblefuture contingencies for the consideration of the commander.Within the scope of its authority, it supervises the executionof plans and orders and takes such other action as is necessary to carry out the commander's Intentions.c. The staff officer should have a thorough knowledge ofthe policies of his commander and should be acquainted withsubordinate commanders and their units. A staff .officershould be an active, well-informed assistant to the commander and a helpful adviser to subordinate commanders.• 3. CLASSIFICATION OF STAFF OFFICERS.—a. (1) The staff of adivision or larger unit may be subdivided into two maingroupings:(a) A general staff group, organized so as to include allfunctions of command (par. 4a), and composed of officers ofthe General Staff Corps and officers detailed as their assistants.(b) A special staff group, consisting of all staff officersassigned, attached, or who have duties at the headquartersand ere not included in the general staff group. It includescertain technical specialists and heads of services (par. 20).(2) In units smaller than a division, the same officer frequently performs duties of both general and special staffnature; consequently there can be no definite subdivision ofsuch staffs into general and special staff groups.b. Personal staffs or aides as authorized by law for certaingeneral officers perform the duties prescribed by the generalofficer to whom assigned. They may be assigned to additional duties with the unit staff. They may be directed tokeep the chief of staff or executive informed of the commander's whereabouts and of the general content of any oralinstructions he may have issued during an absence from thecommand post.c. Liaison officers (par. 47).