The MSB headquarters and headquarters detachment consists of a battalion headquarters and a headquarters detachment. As shown in Figure 4-1, the battalion headquarters has five sections: command, S1, S2/S3, S4, and support operations.
The battalion headquarters performs the C2 functions. It also employs the C2 facilities discussed in Chapter 3. Generally, its mission includes:
- Command and control of organic and attached units.
- Planning, directing, and supervising support provided by the MSB to customers.
- Providing information and advice on MSB support to the commander and staff of the DISCOM.
- Planning, directing, and supervising the administration for organic and attached units. Training and internal logistics support for units organic and attached to the battalion.
- Planning and directing rear operations as assigned by the DISCOM commander.
The MSB commander commands all units organic or attached to the battalion. He provides subordinate elements with clear missions, taskings, and statement of his intent.
Upon receipt of a mission, the commander gives planning guidance to his staff. He receives required information from his staff. He then restates the mission in a clear, concise statement of tasks to be done, and the purpose to be achieved. Examples of tasks that the staff must be able to perform are-
- Analyze terrain and threat.
- Function as an effective team.
- Exchange information.
- Prepare estimates.
- Give appraisals.
- Make recommendations and decisions.
- Prepare plans.
- Issue orders.
- Coordinate and control unit operations.
- Supervise subordinate units.
The XO is the principal assistant to the battalion commander. As second in command, he must understand the support operations and the non-CSS functions of the battalion. He supervises the MSB staff.
He coordinates assigned missions with subordinate unit commanders. Under the commander's directions, he formulates staff operating policies. He oversees the maintenance of the master policy files. Also, he supervises CP operations.
The S1 Section consists of the battalion S1 or adjutant and the personnel and administration center. As the personnel staff officer, the S1 coordinates staff responsibility for the personnel service support. This includes personnel, administrative, financial, religious, medical, public affairs, and legal support.
The S1 participates in the
full range of staff officer functions. He coordinates PSS activities
and advises the commander on them. He participates in the operations
order process and develops loss rate estimates. He recommends
replacement priorities. He assures his areas are fully coordinated
with other staff elements. He also pays particular attention
to areas where close coordination is necessary to assure proper
completion of PSS missions. Such areas are in GRREG, transportation,
and medical support.
The PAC provides the battalion S1 with staff support on personnel,
administrative, financial, public affair, and legal matters. The chaplain
and the medical company commander also provide staff support on an area basis.
PSS staff personnel support both the command and its soldiers.
During combat operations, primary PAC responsibilities focus on strength accounting, casualty reporting, and replacement operations. For performing strength accounting, the S1 section consolidates subordinate element's battle rosters. It cross-checks casualty witness statements with the medical aid stations and MP straggler control point reports. It updates the battalion master battle roster. It also prepares the PERSTAT. The S1 section establishes a replacement receiving point. It briefs replacements on unit assignment and tactical situations. It also coordinates the transportation of replacements to subordinate units.
The S1 section coordinates medical support. It coordinates the schedules, locations, and capabilities of medical support with the MSB medical company. It prepares and provides an area medical plan to the subordinate elements. The section monitors the battalion preventive medicine countermeasures. It monitors the routine and emergency treatment to ensure compliance with the tactical SOP. It coordinates with the medical company commander and MSB S2/S3 to develop a combat lifesaver program for MSB personnel. It also coordinates with the medical clearing station for return to duty of MSB personnel.
The S1 and PAC normally colocate with the S4 section near the MSB CP. This colocation provides for improved, continuous operations capability. Cross training of S1 and S4 section soldiers is key to this capability.
The PAC maintains and processes personnel information through data input to the TACCS. Subordinate and supported units send information for input to the PAC. Input is in the form of hasty strength reports, casualty feeder reports, and battle roster updates. The input of information into TACCS automatically updates the personnel summary report and personnel requirement report. It also updates other SIDPERS input. In situations where subordinate units are task force configured, the PAC prepares a report known as the task force personnel summary. The PAC forwards strength reports and the casualty feeder reports to the DISCOM S1. Further information on S1 and PAC operations is found in FM 12-6.
Other functions of the PAC in support of the MSB include-
- Coordinate with the S2/S3, S4, and MP platoon leader on the location of EPW collection points.
- Project numbers of EPWs and civilian internees.
- Determine total transportation requirements for losses, replacements, and EPWs. Submit transportation request to the S4.
- Provide administrative service, if tactical situation permits.
- Coordinate through the DISCOM S1 to obtain finance services support from the servicing finance support unit.
- Determine requirements for mail distribution.
- Coordinate and supervise postal operations.
- Coordinate morale, welfare, and recreation.
- Maintain the hometown news releases and distribution center operations.
- Coordinate the preparation of soldiers for overseas movement.
The S2/S3 is the operations, intelligence, security, and training officer. He is responsible for internal MSB operations. The S2/S3 advises and assists the MSB commander in planning and coordinating battalion operations. Also, he supervises the communications, operations, and training of the battalion. He is responsible for the security and intelligence functions of the battalion. The S2/S3 supervises the MSB functions that are not classified as logistics or medical. However, his role and that of the support operations officer require that they maintain constant contact. The S2/S3 is responsible for writing and reviewing the battalion tactical SOP. The S2/S3 section consists of two branches - plans and operations branch and communications branch.
The plans and operations branch monitors the tactical operations of the MSB. It makes recommendations to the commander, publishes orders, and supervises implementation of plans and orders. It also maintains the current friendly and enemy situations.
The NBC specialist in the branch monitors, receives, coordinates, analyzes, and evaluates NBC activity data. He develops response procedures for NBC defense. He makes recommendations to the commander on MOPP levels. He also prepares NBC reports 1 through 6. More information on NBC operations is in Appendix B.
The branch plans and coordinates tactical movements. It conducts route reconnaissance and supervises tactical road marches. It also receives closing reports and supervises appropriate staff activities during movement.
The S2/S3 section prepares and develops an intelligence estimate. The section identifies information requirements by reviewing restated missions. It identifies current intelligence holdings by reviewing the S2 workbook and situation maps. It also reviews policy files, journals, intelligence files, and summaries. It prepares the IPB as it relates to the MSB mission. Once the estimate is prepared, the section provides the contents of the intelligence estimate to the commander. It also provides this content to the commander's staff and to the MSB staff.
The branch prepares and develops the battalion defense plan. It coordinates the integration of MSB defense with the DISCOM S2/S3. It identifies probable engagement areas and selects target reference points. Other plans the branch develops under the battalion defense plan are-
- Mobility and countermobility plan.
- Air defense plan.
- Communications plan.
- ADC plan.
- Rear operation annex of Appendix A.
This branch is also responsible for the preparation of other documents. They are-
- Movements orders.
- Intelligence annex to orders.
- Daily intelligence summary for subordinate units.
- Portion of the OPORD/OPLAN.
- Essential elements of information for inclusion into the OPORD.
This branch supervises COMSEC and CCI activities. It operates the communications equipment. It also serves as net control station for the MSB command/operations net. The branch ensures communications links with higher, adjacent, subordinate, and supported units. It operates a station in the DISCOM command/operations net (FM voice) and in the DISCOM logistics operations net (AM voice). It plans and implements backup means of communications. It also ensures radio communications exist during a move between the start point and release point.
This section is responsible for planning, coordinating and supervising unit-level supply and services. It also plans for maintenance and transportation support within the battalion. The S4 section coordinates schedules and methods of distribution between subordinate elements and DS units. It processes requests from the supply and service company for class II, III, IV, and VII items. Processing these requests replenishes the basic loads of all MSB elements. It requests and issues all required CTA 50-900 items within the MSB. It also monitors the MSB company requests for class IX items from the maintenance company. The section monitors the status for all battalion elements in the areas of class I, III, and IV items. It monitors operational readiness of equipment. It also prepares the class III forecast and submits it to the support operations section.
The S4 section, through the BMT, coordinates unit maintenance operations. It consolidates subordinate units maintenance reports to analyze overall battalion equipment status. It provides equipment status reports to the commander and other staff sections for mission planning purposes. It monitors subordinate units' PLL. This ensures operating levels are consistent with tactical SOP requirements. It coordinates recovery and evacuation assets with subordinate elements. Coordination ensures timely recovery and evacuation of all battalion equipment. The section coordinates with the S3 and support operations section on the priority of maintenance effort. Also, it coordinates for allotted time for equipment repairs.
The S4 section coordinates with the S1 on unit strength. It also coordinates on replacement data to project logistics requirements. Together they also ensure all MSB replacements are issued all authorized equipment. The S4 monitors field feeding and sanitation activities within the MSB. It also coordinates field service requirements with the support operations section for all MSB units.
The S4 section coordinates movement plans with the S2/S3. It consolidates transportation requirements for all MSB units. It passes them to the support operations section. It prepares load plans for the battalion headquarters. Also, it coordinates transportation assets with the S2/S3 for POW evacuation.
The support operations section coordinates and provides supervision for logistics and medical functions. This mission includes DS supply and DS maintenance. It includes some field services, HSS, and transportation operations. The support operations officer advises the commander on requirements versus available assets. Requirements are determined in coordination with the DISCOM support operations branch. The support operations officer ensures logistics and medical support to the supported units remain at a level consistent with tactical operation. He recommends support priorities and ensures logistics SOPS are up-to-date. He prepares and distributes the external service support SOP. This SOP provides guidance to supported units on procedures involved in receiving support. He coordinates additional support with the DISCOM support operations branch. The support operations officer directs the activities of the support operations section.
The support operations section is responsible for the following actions:
- Coordinates DS to units in the DSA. Reinforces support to the FSBs.
- Provides technical assistance to the MSB companies and supported units.
- Coordinates with the MSB S3 to integrate the technical mission with operation plans.
- Maintains the logistics situation map depicting locations of units providing logistics support for division units.
- Coordinates with the S2/S3 on the location of all support points within the DSA. Ensures supported units are aware of the locations and time schedules for support operations.
- Implements the commander's guidance on priority of support to committed brigades.
- Advises the MSB commander on logistics support operations.
- Prepares, reviews, or implements plans, and procedures based on guidance from the MSB commander.
- Coordinates with the DISCOM support operations branch and FSBs for reinforcement when the FSBs are over committed.
- Develops and maintains reconstitution support plans for reconstitution of committed units. Designates and trains members of reconstitution teams. The reconstitution teams assess damage or reconstitute decimated units.
The support operations section has a support operations office; a supply, transportation, and services branch; and a maintenance branch.
This office is responsible to plan, coordinate, and supervise DS supply and services for the battalion. It also plans DS maintenance and transportations functions. The office interfaces with the customer's logistics staff officers and the DISCOM support operations branch. It also interfaces with the DMMC. It provides supply, services, and transportation support.
For HSS, the support operations office assisted by the medical company, provides input to the DISCOM service support. It provides input for the annex on medical evacuation and hospitalization. Input covers class VIII supply, helicopter landing sites, priority of medical effort, and evacuation procedures. On the basis of projected WIA losses, the office plans treatment and evacuation. It coordinates plans with units in the DSA and the medical company. It also coordinates plans with the DISCOM medical operations office. The support operations office manages mass casualty operations when treatment and evacuation requirements exceed capabilities.
This branch plans, coordinates, and supervises battalion operations for supply, transportation, and field services. The branch prepares schedules. It assigns priorities in coordination with the DISCOM support operations. Also, it distributes the work load. The branch coordinates the delivery of supplies with the MSB S&S company. It monitors classes II, III (P), IV and VII issues from the distribution points. This branch monitors the salvage operations activities to direct high priority exchange items as directed by the DMMC. It also monitors the subordinate units' WRSO status reports for anticipated requirements.
The branch has several specific functions in the area of supply and services. It coordinates supply distribution and services provision with the DISCOM. It coordinates the same for the FSBs and supported units. It monitors daily battle loss reports to anticipate requirements. If airlift or airdrop is required, it requests and coordinates the support as discussed in Chapter 6.
In the area of transportation, the branch coordinates with the DISCOM MCO for daily vehicle availability and requirements. It maintains statistics on operational capabilities of the TMT company and other organic or attached transportation assets. The transportation personnel also evaluate transport capabilities of the battalion. They prepare the TMT company operation and organization procedures. This includes coordinating transportation of supplies to and from using units.
This branch coordinates with the S&S company on placement and operations of field services augmentation units. It requests field services. It coordinates through the DISCOM support operations branch for incoming augmentation. The branch coordinates the augmentation of GRREG collections points to the supply companies in the BSAs. It also coordinates transportation requirements for the GRREG collection points.
The maintenance branch plans, coordinates, and supervises the maintenance operations of the battalion. This includes technical supervision over DS maintenance functions within the battalion. It provides technical assistance to supported units. It also coordinates the execution of the work load assigned by the DMMC. This branch coordinates the reinforcing of maintenance support to the FSBs. Its personnel coordinate maintenance operations between maintenance companies and division units in the DSA. Personnel also request additional required maintenance support from the DISCOM support operations branch. They monitor MCP activities to direct orderly evacuation and repair of unserviceables. Personnel coordinate SOPS, both internal and external, for all units supported by the MSB. They coordinate maintenance overflow with the DISCOM support operations branch.
Two key areas for this particular branch are in communications and general maintenance operations. Both areas coordinate the external maintenance operations for the MSB. They ensure the implementation of orders pertaining to both particular areas. This branch also plans and supervises all battalion repair parts support matters. It specifically supervises the receipt, storage, and issue of repair parts by the MSB.
The headquarters detachment provides for billeting, discipline, security, and training. It also provides administration of personnel assigned to the HHD. The detachment is typically staffed with a detachment commander and a detachment sergeant. It has a detachment supply sergeant, a food service sergeant, and an armorer. The S1 serves as the detachment commander. All other positions in the headquarters detachment are additional duty assignments for other personnel in the battalion headquarters.
Functions of the detachment consist of the following:
- Ensures HHD logistics support is provided.
- Performs route reconnaissance.
- Ensures load plans are maintained.
- Organizes unit for movement and issue movement orders to HHD personnel.
- Provides C2 of HHD in response to air or ground attack.
- Establishes communications with LP/OPs.
- Coordinates with the S2/S3 on the quartering party.
The unit ministry team provides religious support. The UMT consists of the chaplain and chaplain assistant. The team in coordination with the DISCOM's chaplain provides religious support to the MSB and throughout the DSA. Religious support consists of rites, sacraments, ordinances, services, and pastoral care. More information on religious support is found in FM 16-5.
The commander is responsible for the religious program in his unit. The UMT implements the command religious program by providing-
- Input to the personnel estimate establishing religious support priorities.
- Pastoral care.
- Counseling.
- Worship services.
- Memorial and funeral services.
Other staff functions the chaplain performs are-
- Morale and religious update to the commander.
- Ethical issues update to the commander.
- Staff input to the battalion plans and orders.
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