FM 3-34.22 - Army Electronic Publications & Forms - U.S. Army

Chapter 7
Stability and Civil Support Operations
Dominance on the battlefield will be squandered if the United States does not have the tools to win
hearts and minds and secure lasting peace out of its military engagements.
—Robert C. Orr
Full spectrum operations include stability operations as a part of joint campaigns and
civil support operations as a part of HLS. Stability and civil support operations have
become more important and an acknowledged part of full spectrum operations due to
events across the globe and recent major disasters within the United States. The
ENCOORD and engineer company commander must have a fundamental
understanding of the missions and special engineer requirements associated with
stability and civil support operations. The planning effort for both operations requires
the same degree of planning for offensive and defensive operations. The same
fundamental processes and procedures discussed in previous chapters for planning,
integrating, and controlling engineer operations in support of combat operations
apply to stability and civil support operations. This chapter provides an overview of
stability and civil support operations and some of the associated engineer tasks and
special considerations for each. (See FM 3-0, FM 3-07, FM 3-34, FM 3-90.5, and FM
3-90.6 for more detailed information.)
STABILITY OPERATIONS
7-1. Stability operations are part of full spectrum operations. They are intended to promote and protect
U.S. interests by influencing threat, political, and information dimensions of the OE through a combination
of peacetime developmental, cooperative, and coercive actions in response to a crisis. The focus for most
stability operations is on sustaining the outcome achieved from combat operations to prevent the threat or
the conditions for a threat to return and realize strategic results. (See FM 3-0 for more information.)
7-2. In recent years, Army forces have conducted stability operations more frequently than any other kind
of operation. Stability operations are inherently complex and place great demands on small-unit leadership.
From an engineer perspective, the range of potential requirements and mission roles can be very broad.
Junior leaders are required to develop skills associated with noncombat and nation-building issues while
maintaining essential warfighting skills. Capable, trained, disciplined, and high-quality leaders, Soldiers,
and teams are essential to the success of stability operations. Soldiers and units at every level must be
flexible and adaptive. Stability operations often require the mental and physical agility and capability to
shift from noncombat to combat operations and back again. Engineers have always been required to plan
for the transition between offensive and defensive operations and the phases of an operation.
7-3. Stability operations demonstrate U.S. resolve through the commitment of time, resources, and forces
to establish and reinforce diplomatic and military ties. As stated in FM 3-0, the purpose of stability
operations includes—
� Providing a secure environment. By providing security and assisting the local authorities with
controlling civilians, Army forces begin the process of separating adversaries from the general
population. Physical isolation is complemented by operations that persuade the population to
support an acceptable, legitimate government, isolating the adversaries politically and
economically.
11 February 2009 FM 3-34.22 7-1