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The brigade task force JMC is the central body for mid-level representatives of local parties to bring to the attention of the brigade task force commander military complaints, questions or problems concerning the military aspects of the peace agreement that require resolution. The brigade JMC also identifies possible solutions and provides details to plans designed to solve problems. The brigade JMC performs the following functions:

• Advises the brigade commander on JMC procedures and military problems related to JMC actions that impact on brigade operations.

• Receives spot reports and agrees on specific courses of action to ensure compliance with the military aspects of the peace agreement by the parties. Assists brigade staff with developing specific actions and implementing solutions to problems.

• Assists brigade commander in determining and implementing local cooperative and transparent measures between the parties.

• Analyzes and reports results of brigade JMC meetings to division and subordinate battalion JMCs and brigade staff agencies, as required.

• Advises the brigade commander on JMC procedures and military problems related to JMC actions that impact on brigade operations.

• Coordinates operations of all liaison efforts with factional forces.

• Coordinates with other staff sections for information and arrangements needed at JMC meetings.

• Prepares agenda for JMC meetings, facilitated by the brigade commander.

Battalion JMC

The battalion JMC is the central body for lower-level local party representatives to bring to the attention of the battalion commander complaints, questions or problems concerning the military aspects of the peace agreement that require resolution. The battalion JMC also identifies possible solutions and provides details to plans designed to solve addressed problems. The battalion JMC performs the following functions:

• Works with JCOs and local LOs to maintain communication and information flow. Makes early identification of issues and provides input to brigade commander and staff for resolution.

• Receives spot reports and agrees on specific courses of action to ensure compliance with the military aspects of the peace agreement by the parties. Assists battalion staff with developing specific actions and implementing solutions to problems.

• Assists battalion commander in determining and implementing local cooperative and transparent measures between the parties. Establishes archive meetings, issues, and actions to track results.

• Disseminates results of battalion task force JMCs to subordinate units and battalion task force staff agencies, as required.

• Advises the battalion task force commander on JMC procedures and military problems related to JMC actions that impact on unit operations.

• Coordinates with other staff sections for information and arrangements needed at JMC meetings, and

• Prepares agenda for JMC meetings, facilitated by the battalion commander.

ORGANIZATION AND STAFF INTEGRATION

Task Force Eagle recognized the key role played by the JMC process during predeployment training at Grafenwoehr Training Area, GE. Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR peace enforcement operations added a new dimension: faction liaison and coordination, which fell outside the traditional realm of the battlefield operating systems (BOSs). Equally important was the increased significance placed upon political-military operations, diplomacy, and nonlethal means of compelling compliance.

Realizing that the division Chief of Staff's primary focus would be on deployment, force protection, and IFOR operations, the CG of Task Force Eagle created a special staff section to coordinate the integration of IFOR and faction operations, chaired by a former brigade commander. He hand-picked talented majors and captains from his G2, G3 and SJA sections, and recruited Yugoslav area specialists from augmenting units, and created the JMC organization shown below (Figure III-5).

Task Force Eagle found that one properly resourced, central focal point with "direct access to the Commanding General" and relative authority of the Chief of Staff was needed to perform solely JMC-related functions. This is especially crucial if there is a Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF), where interoperability concerns already exist and "speaking with one voice" with allies and factions is a must. Multinational Brigade Liaison Officers in Task Force Eagle routinely solicited guidance and assistance from the JMC staff on interpretation of treaty measures, and U.S. Army interoperability concerns.

Having a dedicated JMC staff does not mean the JMC can "do it all alone." Primary Staffs (G1 through G6), and Personal/Special Staffs must be prepared to provide the political and operational analysis to support what is the commander's key nonlethal peace enforcement tool -- the JMC process.

If the UN, NATO, or other Coalition forces conduct peace operations, they may encounter UN Political Officers and other NGO officials whose civil projects/agenda may or may not impact on military-to-military JMC efforts. Commanders don't make policy, but their operations during peace enforcement directly affect, and are affected by, actions occurring at the local, national and UN/NATO/Coalition levels. A U.S. Department of State Political Advisor (POLAD) can help commanders understand how policy and operations are intertwined.

JMC MEDIA OPERATIONS

JMC operations and decisions require appropriate media coverage. Media coverage of JMC operations should be developed as a theme in the popular support campaign to emphasize the legitimacy and authority of the JMC. The aims are to reinforce the binding nature of JMC decisions, obligate local groups and individuals to comply, and underscore the consequences of noncompliance. Commanders can also improve the effectiveness of JMCs by recognizing the motivating power of self-interest among the local JMC participants. The key is to ensure that local JMC members have strong incentives for continuing to work through the JMC process. In addition, all sides must understand the penalties of obstructing or withdrawing from JMC operations. By doing so, commanders establish a pragmatic basis for influencing the behavior of local leaders and the groups they represent.

If NATO or Coalition forces are deployed as part of a UN operation, NATO or Coalition Media Operations personnel must work closely with UN Public Information staff or public information specialists with the lead UN political agency (UN Civil Affairs).

Media Operations must be part of the core JMC preparation team to properly advise on the media effects of possible JMC outcomes or decisions, to plan appropriate media coverage, to develop press releases and responses to press inquiries, and to arrange interviews with the commander chairing the JMC or others concerning JMC operations.

LIAISON OFFICERS AND OBSERVERS

Immediately after a peace accord or other agreement is concluded, liaison and observer teams must be deployed to monitor and report activity at critical locations and, where appropriate, to lay the foundation for the establishment of a local JMC. Specific tasks will be derived from the basic agreement, but could include: monitoring a cease-fire -- especially at possible "hot spots," verifying troop locations and confrontation lines, and reporting violations of the agreement. Preparatory work in connection with establishing a local JMC could include: verifying the local command structure, briefing local commanders on JMC operations, assessing effectiveness of local command and control and local attitudes toward compliance with the agreement, and establishing a "hot line" to a higher-level JMC.

During Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR, JCOs were an integral part of the JMC staff. A carryover organization from UNPROFOR, these UK Special Air Service troops and Royal Dutch Marines conducted direct liaison, communications, and information exchange with the FWF forces. JCOs reported through national and Task Force Eagle command channels and received liaison and collection taskings from ARRC and Task Force Eagle. The JMC Chief exercised "overwatch" responsibility and coordinated JCO liaison and collection efforts, and ensured that vital real-time information was shared with the appropriate Task Force Eagle staffs.

As part of initial entry operations, JCOs arranged COMEAGLE's first contacts with FWF leaders, and provided advance security functions. They became and remained one of COMEAGLE's trusted agents, coordinating bilateral and JMC meetings with factional division and corps commanders. JCOs provided the "who, what and where to go" to establish contacts with the FWFs, both for the Task Force Eagle headquarters and the maneuver brigade commanders during reconnaissance and initial entry phases. Given that many JCOs had fluency in the local language and months or years of experience in theater, the JCOs had a vast storehouse of political and in-country information on customs, responsibilities, personality profiles, and, in many cases, FWF war records.

Section III: IFOR and JMC Structures, Part 1

Section IV: Administration and Training