Military

4-1. Mission. To provide field maintenance to the brigade HHC, the brigade reconnaissance (recon) troop (BRT), the FSB forward support medical company (FSMC), the headquarters and distribution company (HDC), and itself. It also provides limited back up maintenance to the forward support companies (FSCs) and divisional units in the brigade area. The BSC also provides direct support maintenance to FA units that are part of the brigade. To provide direct and habitual combat service support to a divisional engineer battalion, less class VIII and medical support. These functions include the following:

• Field maintenance (organizational and DS).

• Management of Class IX spares (PLL & shop stock).

• Providing all classes of supply to an engineer battalion.

Figure 4-1 shows the BSC organization. The BSC depends upon the following:

• Headquarters and distribution company, FSB, for religious support, personnel administration support, and food service support.

• FSMC, FSB, for combat health support and patient evacuation.

• The support operations, FSB, for movement, maintenance, and distribution management.

• Appropriate elements of the division or corps for legal, finance, personnel, and administrative support.

• Resupply of Class IX from EAB on a daily basis unless otherwise directed by higher headquarters.

• Corps water elements for water point resupply.

• Corps elements for fuel and electrical (F&E), communications and electronic passback teams, allied trade, and mortuary affairs.

4-2. The company headquarters section of the BSC provides command and control of assigned and attached personnel, coordinates area support within the BSA, and coordinates reinforcing support to the FSCs as required. The company headquarters directs the operations of the subordinate sections. In addition to C2 responsibilities, this section is also responsible for unit-level supply and training.

4-4. The BSC company commander is responsible to the FSB commander for the discipline, combat readiness, and training of the BSC, direct support to the supported maneuver brigade, and for the maintenance of BSC equipment.

4-5. The commander is responsible for everything the BSC does or fails to do. He must be proficient in the tactical employment of the company and its assigned and attached CSS elements. The commander must also know the capabilities and limitations of the company's personnel and equipment in performing the CSS mission as well as those of CSS elements attached to him. Additionally, his responsibilities include leadership, discipline, tactical employment, training, administration, personnel management, supply, maintenance, communications, and sustainment activities of the company.

4-6. These duties require the commander to understand the capabilities of the company's soldiers and equipment and to know how to employ them to best tactical and CSS advantage. At the same time, the commander must be well versed in enemy organizations, doctrine, and equipment.

4-7. Using this knowledge, the commander prepares his unit for combat operations using troop-leading procedures. Ultimately, he must know how to exercise command effectively and decisively. He must be flexible, using sound judgment to make correct decisions quickly and at the right time based on the higher commander's intent and the tactical situation. He must be able to issue instructions to his subordinate leaders in the form of clear, accurate combat orders and then he must ensure that the orders are executed.

4-8. The company commander's responsibility in combat is threefold. He will:

• Accomplish all missions assigned to the BSC in accordance with the FSB commander's intent and will support the brigade commander's scheme of maneuver with CSS.

• Preserve the fighting capability of the supported brigade and the BSC. Must maintain continual communications with higher, lower, and adjacent units.

• Retain connectivity of STAMISs and FBCB2 with the FSB.

4-9. The company executive officer is the company's second in command and its primary internal CSS planner and coordinator. He and the company headquarters personnel serve as the company's battle staff and operate the company CP and net control station (NCS) for both radio and digital traffic. The company executive officer's other duties include the following:

• Continuous battle tracking.

• Ensure accurate, timely tactical reports are sent to the FSB TOC.

• Assume command of the company as required.

• In conjunction with the 1SG, plan and supervise the company CSS and defense effort before, during, and after the battle.

• Prepare the company OPORD for the commander and the concept of support for the brigade OPORD.

• Conduct tactical and logistical coordination with higher, adjacent, and supported units.

• As required, assist the commander in issuing orders to the company, headquarters, and attachments.

• Conduct additional missions as required. These may include serving as OIC for the quartering party, company movement officer, or company training officer.

• Assist the commander in preparations for follow-on missions.

4-10. The 1SG is the company's senior NCO and normally is its most experienced soldier. He is the commander's primary CSS and tactical advisor and he is an expert in individual and NCO skills. He is the company's primary internal CSS operator and helps the commander and support operations officer to plan, coordinate, and supervise all logistical activities that support the company's mission. He operates where the commander directs or where his duties require him.

4-11. The 1SG's specific duties include the following:

• Execute and supervise routine operations. The 1SG's duties may include enforcing the tactical SOP; planning and coordinating training; coordinating and reporting personnel and administrative actions; and supervising supply, maintenance, communications, and field hygiene operations.

• Supervise, inspect, and/or observe all matters designated by the commander. For example, the 1SG may observe and report on the company's base, proof fighting positions, or designing and ensuring emplacement of the defensive perimeter.

• Assists in planing, rehearsing, and supervising key logistical actions in support of the tactical mission. These activities include resupply of Class I, III, and V products and materials; maintenance and recovery; medical treatment and evacuation; and replacement/return to duty (RTD) processing.

• Assists and coordinates with the support operations in all critical functions.

• As necessary, serves as quartering party NCOIC.

• Using FBCB2 transmit company rollup reports LOGSITREP and PERSITREP. Transmit call for support (CFS) for immediate resupply for Class III/IV/V or recovery missions using FBCB2 (as required).

• Conducts training and ensures proficiency in individual and NCO skills and small-unit collective skills that support the company's mission essential task list (METL).

• Receives incoming personnel and assigns them to subordinate elements as needed.

• Responsible for the medical evacuation of sick, injured, and wounded soldiers to the supporting medical treatment facility.

• Responsible for the evacuation of soldiers killed in action to the supporting graves registration collection point.

• In conjunction with the commander, establish and maintain the foundation for company discipline.

4-12. The supply sergeant requests, receives, issues, stores, maintains, and turns in supplies and equipment for the company. He coordinates all supply requirements and actions with the 1SG and the support operations officer. Normally, the supply sergeant will be positioned in the BSA where he is supervised by the executive officer. The supply sergeant's specific responsibilities include the following:

• Control the company cargo truck, resupplies the water trailer, and supervise the supply clerk/armorer.

• Monitor company team activities and/or the tactical situation; anticipate and report logistical requirements using FBCB2; and coordinate and monitor the status of the company's logistics requests.

• Coordinate and supervise the issue or delivery of supplies to the platoons or sections.

• Provide order, receipt, and issue capability for Classes I, II, III(P), IV, V, and VI through supply STAMIS (either ULLS-S4 or GCSS-A).

4-13. The NBC NCO assists and advises the company commander in planning for and conducting operations in an NBC environment. He plans, conducts, coordinates, and/or supervises NBC defense training with the 1SG and covers such areas as decontamination procedures and use and maintenance of NBC-related equipment. Specific duties include the following:

• Assist the commander in developing company operational exposure guidance (OEG) in accordance with OEG from higher headquarters.

• Make recommendations to the commander on NBC survey and/or monitoring, decontamination, and smoke support requirements.

• Requisition NBC-specific equipment and supply items.

• Assist the commander in developing and implementing the company team NBC training program. The NBC NCO ensures that the training program covers the following requirements:

  • First-line supervisors provide effective sustainment training in NBC common tasks.

  • The NBC-related leader tasks are covered in sustainment training.

  • The NBC-related collective tasks are covered in overall unit training activities.

  • The NBC factors are incorporated as a condition in the performance of METL tasks.

• Inspect company elements to ensure NBC preparedness and report to the commander the findings.

• Process and disseminate information on enemy and friendly NBC capabilities and activities, including attacks.

• Advise the commander on contamination avoidance measures.

• Coordinate, monitor, and supervise decontamination operations.

4-14. The armorer performs organizational maintenance on the company's small arms and is responsible for evacuating weapons as necessary to the maintenance platoon or to the brigade support company for DS maintenance. In addition, he normally assists the supply sergeant in his duties. As an option, the armorer may serve as the driver of the 1SG's vehicle to make him more accessible for weapons repair and maintenance in forward areas.

4-15. The engineer support element (ESE) is a multi-functional unit that includes a food service section, a distribution section, and maintenance sections organized to provide habitual support to divisional engineer battalion. The new engineer support element is as mobile as the unit it supports. It is modular enough to be broken into three multi-functional engineer support teams (EST), each capable of providing habitual combat service support to an engineer company. These ESTs can co-locate or be attached to maneuver FSCs that are in support of the battalion task force that the supported engineer company is in support of. The ESE can also consolidate all of the ESTs with the ESE headquarters and form a separate engineer task force support area based on METT-TC. Listed below in Figures 4-2, 4-3, and 4-4 are three potential support options available to the ESE in the BSC to provide CSS to the engineer battalion, METT-TC dependent.

4-16. The headquarters section of the engineer support element provides command and control of assigned and attached personnel and supervision for the administrative functions of the other sections. This section acts as a support operations cell for the engineer battalion, which coordinates and provides technical supervision for the ESE's CSS mission. This mission includes DS supply, field maintenance, and the coordination of transportation and field services. The headquarters section collocates with the engineer BN S1/S4 representatives. This physical location on the ground where the support operations tracked vehicle co-locates with the engineer BN tracked vehicle is called the combat trains command post (CTCP). This section is responsible for conducting all of the tasks for the engineer BN that the support operations section of the FSC provides to a maneuver TF. The section has a small maintenance team that provides field maintenance to the engineer battalion headquarters. Through the direction of higher headquarters, it coordinates all training activities for assigned personnel.

4-17. The food service section provides Class I support to the engineer battalion through the use of mobile kitchen trailers (MKTs) and kitchen company level field fielding (KCLFF). This section can operate as a complete mess section or it can be split into the three engineer support teams and operate out of the FSCs mess sections providing Class I support to the engineer companies. When the section is not consolidated the engineer CTCP will get its mess support from the HDC.

4-18. The function of the distribution section is to provide POL and supply distribution to the engineer battalion. This section consists of HEMTT fuelers that distribute retail Class III in support of the engineer battalion and HEMTT load handling systems (LHS) for dry cargo. The distribution section can operate as part of the section or be separated equally as a part of the three multi-functional ESTs.

4-19. The forward engineer repair team provides dedicated field maintenance to an engineer company out of an existing UMCP, usually that of the FSC that is in support of the BN/TF supported by the engineer company. This section provides a modular base maintenance capability that can follow the engineer company where ever it goes and complete those repairs that the CRTs are unable to perform based on METT-TC.

4-20. The engineer battalion's first level of support comes from the ESE CRTs, which are organized to provide field maintenance (organizational and direct support maintenance levels) for all engineer platforms organic to combat engineer companies. The supported company commander and the ESE OIC set the CRT's priorities. The CRT operates under the operational control of the engineer company 1SG and is supervised by the CRT's maintenance NCOIC.

4-21. The scope and level of repairs are based on METT-TC. The CRTs perform repairs as far forward as possible returning the piece of equipment to the battle. During combat, CRTs will perform BDAR, diagnostics, and on-system replacement of LRUs. Emphasis is placed on troubleshooting, diagnosing malfunctions and fixing the equipment by component replacement. If the tactical situation permits, CRTs focus on completing jobs on site, if not the jobs are evacuated to the TF UMCP for the forward engineer repair team to complete. The CRTs carry limited on board combat spares to help facilitate repairs forward. If inoperable equipment is not repairable, due either to METT-TC or a lack of repair parts, the team uses recovery assets to assist the engineer company and may as necessary recover inoperable equipment to the UMCP or designated linkup point. The CRTs are fully integrated into the engineer unit's operational plans.

4-22. The CRT and the forward engineer repair teams work together on annual and semi-annual services to the engineer company's equipment. DS work orders are tracked by the BSC MCS. The MCS gives the CRT a block of work order numbers to track equipment repair. The CRT NCOIC uses the free text message on the CFS via FBCB2 to update the MCS on work order status. The CRT opens a DS job by completing a DA Form 2407 after the equipment is repaired.

4-23. The base maintenance platoon provides field maintenance (organizational level and direct support level maintenance) to the HDC FSB, HHC brigade, brigade recon troop, FSMC, BSC, and backup support to the engineer battalion. This platoon also provides DS base shop commodity specific maintenance to the entire maneuver brigade. On an area basis, it provides DS maintenance to brigade units within the BSA, and limited reinforcing and back-up support to the FSCs. The maintenance control section (MCS) maintains the STAMIS management systems and serves as the focal point for all maintenance activity. The automotive maintenance section provides base shop field maintenance on wheel and track vehicles. The ground support equipment (GSE) repair section provides base shop field maintenance on all power generation and refrigeration equipment. The armament maintenance section provides base shop line replaceable units (LRUs), armament and small arms repair capability. Maintenance advances such as multi-capable maintainer, advanced diagnostics and prognostics maintenance, and the introduction of the forward repair system (FRS) enhances the platoon's capabilities.

4-24. Using ULLS-G, the platoon provides all TAMMS functions, dispatching, and scheduled services for the HDC FSB, BSC, HHC brigade, FSMC, and the brigade recon troop. The platoon performs on and off system maintenance. It performs system diagnostics, LRU, armament, and wheeled and tracked vehicle repairs. The FSB support operations section in coordination with the supported maneuver brigade commander's intent sets its priorities. The brigade's maintenance priorities are sent through the FSBs support operations section to the base maintenance platoon MCS. The platoon performs battle damage assessment and repairs (BDAR) IAW applicable technical manuals. When authorized, the maintenance platoon uses controlled exchange and/or cannibalization in order to expedites equipment repairs. METT-TC dictates the type and level of repairs. The platoon is normally located near the Class IX section of the supply and transportation platoon and maintenance platoon. Teams may maintain limited combat spares (PLL and shop stock) in order to facilitate repairs during contact maintenance support missions. The BSC base maintenance platoon also coordinates its backup and pass-back (those maintenance functions that were removed from the division and given to the corps) maintenance requirements with the FSB support operations section.

4-25. This maintenance platoon operates maintenance collection points (MCP). The MCS coordinates recovery and evacuation for the FSC maintenance platoon. Corps maintenance plugs may be available for backup and component repair. The goal of base maintenance platoon operations is to return as many combat systems to the battle as possible.

4-26. The headquarters section of the maintenance platoon provides command and control of assigned and attached personnel and supervision for the administrative functions of the other sections. Through the direction of higher headquarters, it coordinates all training activities for assigned personnel.

4-27. The maintenance control section provides maintenance management for units operating within the BSA. The MCS uses three management tools: ULLS-G, SAMS-1, and FBCB2. The MCS receives call for support messages through FBCB2. With the introduction of GCSS-Army, maintenance functionality will be consolidated in the maintenance module. The MCS is located in close vicinity of the Class IX section during operations in the BSA.

4-28. The MCS tracks the CFS through the "task management" file in FBCB2. In turn, these CFS are entered into ULLS-G (for jobs formally classified as organizational) or SAMS (for jobs formally classified as DS).

4-29. The MCS is the manager for all field maintenance and recovery mission actions within the BSC, base maintenance, forward repair and engineer support elements. This includes managing TAMMS, performing dispatching, and managing scheduled services for the HDC FSB, BSC, HHC brigade, FSMC, engineer battalion, and brigade recon troop using ULLS-G. The ULLS-G boxes are collocated with the maintenance control section. The ULLS-G clerks input the DA Form 5988-E completed by the operator or crew. This section provides the technical inspectors, monitors the job orders, and maintains limited combat spares (PLL and shop stock). The technical inspectors are responsible for all aspects of quality assurance, technical inspection, and quality control for DS maintenance activities of the company. The MCS provides maintenance management information to the FSB support operations section. It also provides maintenance management information to the FSB support operations section by transmitting maintenance data from the MCS's SAMS-1 box to the FSB support operations section SAMS-2 box.

4-30. If a vehicle is non-mission capable for organizational level maintenance, the ULLS-G operator enters that information into the ULLS-G computer. If vehicles require DS level maintenance, an automated maintenance request from ULLS-G or a completed DA Form 2407 is entered into SAMS. If maintenance sections exceed either capabilities or capacities, the MCS can request backup maintenance support through the FSB support operations section from the corps.

4-31. The MCS receives missions from:

• Supported units via FBCB2, voice, or face-to-face.

• The FSB support operations section as backup support to the FSC.

4-32. All requests for maintenance support flow through the FSB support operations section. The maintenance message flow begins when the MCS receives a CFS from the FSB support operations section. The MCS forwards a logistic task order (LTO) to the appropriate maintenance section (automotive maintenance, ground support equipment repair, or service and recovery) via FBCB2. The section responds to the LTO with one of the acknowledgment messages. The requesting operator/crew receives a copy of the acknowledgment message so that the operator is always kept informed on the status of the CFS. When the LTO is accepted, the section NCOIC synchronizes/coordinates support with the requesting unit and sends a mechanic to the location identified, coordinated, and agreed upon to repair the system. If the mechanic does not have the combat spare on-hand to complete the repair, he sends a message via FBCB2 to the MCS requesting the required repair parts. When the parts are readily available, the mechanics replaces the part forward at the breakdown site or at the UMCP. When required repair parts are not on-hand, the MCS orders appropriate parts through ULLS-G (organizational) or SAMS (direct support). When parts are not available or when the part has a long order ship time, the unit recovers the vehicle to the TFSA or BSA. As necessary, the MCS coordinates with the FSB support operations section to evacuate the system to a corps unit for repair.

4-33. The automotive maintenance section provides field maintenance for the HDC FSB, BSC, HHC brigade, FSMC, and the brigade recon troop. The automotive maintenance section provides base shop and limited on-site field maintenance for brigade's wheel and track vehicles not habitually supported by a FSC and which do not otherwise have a dedicated internal or external wheeled/tracked maintenance support capability. As directed by the MCS, this section also provides DS maintenance on an area support basis to units operating within the BSA and limited Abrams-series FUPP repair as required. This section provides backup maintenance support to the artillery support team and other supported units in the BSA. The flow of maintenance is the same as described in the MCS section.

4-34. This section is also responsible for conducting scheduled services on the equipment for the HDC FSB, BSC, HHC brigade, FSMC, and the brigade recon troop. After performing services, the mechanic fills out DA Form 5988-E and turns it into the maintenance control section.

4-35. The GSE section provides field maintenance on utility, chemical, power generation, construction, refrigeration, and all quartermaster equipment to the HDC FSB, BSC, HHC brigade, FSMC, and the brigade recon troop and on an area basis for units operating in the BSA. The flow of maintenance is the same as described in the MCS section. Provides back-up field maintenance support for maneuver brigade elements as required.

4-36. The armament repair section provides armament, turret, fire control systems, small arms, and artillery component repair for the brigade. It provides field maintenance support to all maneuver brigade units not habitually supported by a FSC, and backup field maintenance support to other brigade elements as required. It also provides backup armament maintenance support to the FSC. Armament diagnostics equipment, such as direct support electrical system test set (DSESTS), is located in this section in the forward repair platoon, BSC. Equipment that needs testing is recovered to the TFSA or BSC in the BSA, as dictated by METT-TC. The section's mechanics have the capability to take DSESTS forward to the UMCP location in the TFSA or FSC forward to test and repair the inoperable combat system.

4-37. The forward repair platoon provides field maintenance to brigade and divisional units not supported by FSCs or the DSB on an area basis. The service and recovery section provides welding services and limited recovery/lift support. The missile/electronic maintenance support team provides land combat missile systems (LCMS) and communications/electronic maintenance support either forward on-site, or at the base shop as directed by the MCS. The artillery support section provides on-site DS level maintenance to the artillery battalion in support of the brigade. The wheel/track section is capable of providing contact (on-site) support to the brigade headquarters, the brigade recon troop, engineer battalion, and reinforcing support to the FSCs as directed and also provides limited reinforcing and back up support to the FSCs.

4-38. The headquarters section of the forward repair platoon provides command and control of assigned and attached personnel and supervision for the administrative functions of the other sections. Through the direction of higher headquarters, it coordinates all training activities for assigned personnel.

4-39. The service and recovery section provides welding and recovery/lift support to the HDC FSB, BSC, FSMC, HHC brigade, the brigade recon troop, and other units operating in the BSA. The section provides limited recovery/lift support, on an area basis, to all other units within the BSA. The section also provides backup support to the FSC.

4-40. Items that cannot be repaired on-site are recovered to the UMCP or BSA. The use of FBCB2 enables recovery vehicles to identify the exact location of an inoperable piece of equipment. Units in the brigade rear need to establish a detailed maintenance SOP in coordination with the FSB for how they receive maintenance support. Normally the operator of the non-mission capable vehicle in the brigade rear sends a CFS message to his 1SG to be forwarded to the FSB support operations section that sends a LTO to the MCS of the base maintenance platoon. The MCS sends a LTO via FBCB2 to the section NCOIC. Upon notification, the section sends an acknowledgment message to the MCS. The operator and crew receive a message from the maintenance activity accepting the maintenance request for recovery at the same time. Through the entire sequence of events the operator/crew is updated on the status of the FBCB2 CFS.

4-41. The missile/electronic support section provides field maintenance for the BSC, FSMC, HDC FSB, HHC brigade, engineer battalion, and the brigade recon troop. The missile support teams provide support for all land combat missile systems (LCMS) for the entire maneuver brigade. CE/COMSEC, special electronics devices, night vision, surveillance radar systems, automation hardware DS level repair, and component repair support. This section also provides limited backup radio repair for the FSC. Equipment that needs testing is recovered to the TFSA/FSC forward or BSC in the BSA, as dictated by METT-TC. Corps provides backup support to the BSC.

4-42. The artillery support team provides DS maintenance support to the field artillery battalion in support of the brigade. It also provides wheeled and tracked vehicle repair, armament support, and limited power generation repair. When a vehicle becomes non-mission capable, the operator sends a call for support to the unit maintenance officer (UMO) formerly called the battalion maintenance technician. If the UMO needs assistance from the artillery support team, he sends a call for support to the team NCOIC. The team NCOIC sends an acknowledgment message. If the team needs backup support, the NCOIC sends a call for support to the MCS.

4-43. The wheel/track contact repair team provides backup support to the FSC CRTs and engineer support element as directed by the MCS. It also provides contact (on-site) maintenance support, on an area basis, to all other units within the BSA and the brigade recon troop. The FSC MCS sends a call for support through the FSC support operations section requesting assistance from the wheel/track contact repair team. The FSC support operations section forwards the call for support to the FSB support operations section. The logistic task order is sent to the BSC MCS and the MCS acknowledges the message. The BSC MCS sends the task order to the wheel/track contact repair team NCOIC. The team NCOIC sends an acknowledgment message to the MCS and operator/crew. Teams move forward to support the FSC.