II. Fundamentalsselected for printing

2.6. US Civil Affairsselected for printing

US Civil Affairs (CA) are designated active component and reserve component forces and units organized, trained, and equipped specifically to conduct CA Operations (CAO) and to support Civil-Military Operations (CMO).

The role of CA is to understand, engage, and influence unified action partners and indigenous populations and institutions (IPI), conduct military government operations (MGO), enable CMO, and provide civil considerations expertise through the planning and execution of CAO. This role, founded in policy, directive, and joint doctrine, clearly depicts the reason why the CA branch was established and the unique contributions it provides to the US Army and US Department of Defense (DOD). CA forces are organized, trained, and equipped specifically to plan and execute CAO across the range of military operations, engaging the civil component (IPI, unified action partners, other civil entities and interagency) to support the Joint Force Commanders (JFC’s) CMO concept. Senior-level CA planning and policy representation across the army and DOD agencies are required to ensure proper integration and early determination of requirements.

The intent of CAO is to enhance stability, set conditions for mitigating or defeating of threats to civil society, and to assist in establishing local government capability or enhancing its capacity for deterring or defeating future civil threats.

US Civil Affairs Fundamentals

CAOs encompass a series of actions that are planned, coordinated, executed, and assessed to improve situational understanding. They are specifically designed to identify, disrupt, and neutralize threats within the civil component. These actions are meant to consolidate gains and enhance, enable, or provide governance to support military objectives across all phases of competition. For core competencies, refer to the diagram.

Civil Affairs products

CA personnel prepare area studies, conduct assessments, and create and maintain running estimates to assist in the planning and updating mission plans across the range of military operations. These products develop and update the understanding of the civil component for the commander’s common operational picture. The information and material contained within these products are critical for the commander’s and staff’s situational understanding and the formation of the commander’s vision for the operational environment, including:

1)    impacts of the populace on military operations,

2)    impacts of military operations on the populace,

3)    development of courses of action,

4)    development of branches and sequels,

5)    completion of objectives, goals, and milestones,

6)    facilitation of the transition of army operations,

7)    identification and reinforcement efforts to consolidate gains  and

8)    information requirements that drive and focus the civil information collection plan.

Fieldworker focus:

Civil Reconnaissance: Areas, Structures, Capabilities, Organisations , People, and Events (ASCOPE) Use ASCOPE Areas (e.g. IDP camps, possible IDP routes, collection and HA distribution centres troop conglomerates, store/shop area, schools, minefields). Structures: (e.g. radio towers, airports, water treatment plants, power plants, dams, bridges,{critical infrastructure}  remember PTLs). Capabilities (e.g. sewage system, railway transport, emergency services, essential services). Organisations : (e.g. NGOs, criminal organisations , church groups, community watch groups). People (ex. formal/informal leaders, influencers), and Events (ex. troop movements, construction sites, entertainment activities). ASCOPE assists us in remembering WHAT to look for during the assessment process. Provide pictures and grid locations if time permits.

 
Civil Affairs assessments

CA assessments provide a precise means to gather meaningful and significant information. CA soldiers perform three basic types of assessments - the initial assessment, the deliberate assessment, and the survey. Gathering information should not be a haphazard process. Each type of assessment is based on the information and analysis of the previous type. In addition, each type of assessment in the progression becomes more focused, specific, and detailed with an ultimate goal of identifying civil vulnerabilities that pose a threat to the successful and timely completion of the mission. This task must have a well-formed, practical plan as with all military missions.

US Civil Affairs and NATO CIMIC

 Similar Tasks:

1)    Web research/ open source intelligence (OSINT)

2)    Civil Reconnaissance

3)    Civil Engagements

4)    Reporting

The CCOE representing NATO CIMIC, and the US CA cooperate and mutually support each other. CIMIC and US CA serve as the eyes and ears of their respective supported commander, focusing on the civil factors of the operating environment.  Both CA and CIMIC share common tasks:

-Assessing and understanding civil dynamics and the operational environment

-Interacting with civilian stakeholders

-Advising and facilitating military commanders and decision-making

US CA and NATO CIMIC comparison

 
During Counterinsurgency and Crisis Response operations, both CIMIC and CA focused on winning the "hearts and minds" of the civilian population to contribute to mission accomplishment. Now, with the emphasis on peer and near-peer threats, CIMIC and CA are more concerned with analysing and assessing the civil environment regarding its implications on military operations and vice versa. Enabling the military commander to accomplish the mission and keeping civilians and non-military- actors operating in the same space out of both his/ her and out of harm's way is a paramount concern of both CIMIC and CA. CIMIC and CA map the civilian battlespace, including all relevant actors, and thus contribute to preparing the battlefield and Common Operating Picture (COP). Both perform Civil Reconnaissance and Civil Engagements. The S/G/J9 personnel attend and contribute to key boards and working groups within an HQ's battle rhythm.