108 Command Element Flashcards
(38 cards)
Discuss the function of the Command Element (CE) within the Marine Air/Ground Task Force (MAGTF).
-CE is the MAGTF headquarters.
-Mission of CE is to command and control, direct, plan, and coordinate the air, ground, logistics, intelligence, and communications and information systems (CIS) operations of assigned forces.
MAGTF Commander is completely responsible for the unit. He cannot delegate his responsibility, but may delegate portions of his authority. He has authoritative direction over all aspects of military operations, training, and logistics necessary to accomplish the mission.
Discuss the role and responsibility of the
Chief of Staff
Chief of Staff (C/S, CoS)
- Responsible for directing, coordinating, supervising, and training the staff.
- Frees the commander from routine managerial duties.
- Primary conduit for the exchange of critical information and insight between the staff and the commander
Discuss the role and responsibility of the
Principal Staff
Principal Staff
- General staff in units commanded by a general officer and the executive staff for all other units
- Responsible for a broad functional area, and helps the commander coordinate and supervise the execution of plans, operations, and activities in that area.
At the major command level, are designated as the assistant chief of staff (AC/S) for their respective functional areas: AC/S, G-1, personnel; AC/S, G-2, intelligence; AC/S, G-3, operations and training; AC/S, G-4, logistics; AC/S, G-5, plans; and AC/S, G-6, CIS.
Discuss the role and responsibility of the
Special Staff
Special Staff
- Special Staff officers advise and assist the commander and other staff members in a particular military specialty.
- Comptroller, Public Affairs, Staff Judge Advocate, Inspector General, Chaplain (Navy), Surgeon (Navy), and NGLO (Navy).
Discuss the role and responsibility of the
Personal Staff
Personal Staff - work directly for the commander
- composed of aides, a sergeant major, and personal secretaries
- SgtMaj’s duties - specifically assigned by the commander and generally concern the discipline, welfare, conduct, morale, and leadership of the command’s enlisted personell
Define the role of the
Staff Secretary
Staff Secretary – Administrative assistant to the Chief of Staff.
- not a member of the general or special staff.
Define the role of the
Chaplain
Chaplain – Responsible for matters pertaining to the morale, spiritual, and religious well-being of the command. Assists G-1 (personnel) in determining and improving the state of morale.
- conducts divine services, outreach programs, spiritual growth retreats and religious education
- pastoral care and counseling
- assists in casualty assistance calls program
- advises CO on moral issues and provides input to programs that emphasze Marine Corps core values
Define the role of the
Surgeon
Surgeon – Directly responsible to the Commanding General. Advises on medical and medical service matters. Advises the medical effects on personnel of the environment and weapons.
-Operates under the staff cognizance of G-4, logistics with respect to medical and medical service matters
Define the role of the
Public Affairs Officer (PAO)
Public Affairs Officer (PAO) – Responsible for advising the Commanding General on all public affairs matters.
News releases, internal stories, handles civilian media queries associated with the command, etc.
Define the role of the
Comptroller
Comptroller – Responsible for financial management. Only assigned to major commands. For commands without a comptroller, staff duties related to fiscal matters may be assigned to one or more staff sections (e.g. disbursing officer or fiscal officer).
-Prepares and submits budgets, and budget updates. Translates mission objectives into measurable financial goals and issues appropriate guidance.
Define the role of the
Staff Judge Advocate (SJA)
Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) – Responsible for assisting the commander in the administration of military justice and the processing of legal matters.
- If no SJA, can use “legal officer”.
- Prepares all court-martial orders issues by the headquarters.
Define the role of the
Inspector General
Inspector General – Performs inspections of activities and units to ensure compliance with regulations, directives, and orders.
Define the following staff sections:
J/G/S-1
Staff Sections
J – Joint Staff (An inter-service command)
G – General Staff (Commands with a general officer)
S – Staff (Commands where the CO is below the rank of general officer)
J/G/S-1 – Personnel management / admin & manpower
-Personnel strength management, discipline, law, and order, POWs, casualty management
- Directly responsible to the Commanding General for personnel matters.
- The G-1 Division consists of:
- Manpower Branch
- Operations and Plans Branch
- Reserve Affairs Branch
- Adjutant
- Personnel
- and Career Planning
Define the following staff sections:
J/G/S-2
Staff Sections
J – Joint Staff (An inter-service command)
G – General Staff (Commands with a general officer)
S – Staff (Commands where the CO is below the rank of general officer)
J/G/S-2 – Intelligence
-Information on weather, terrain, and enemy capabilities, status, and intentions
- Directly responsible to the Commanding General for intelligence matters.
- The G-2 Division consists of:
- Executive/Administrative Branch
- Intelligence Operations Branch
- Counterintelligence/Human Intelligence Branch
- Signals intelligence/Special Security Branch
- Planning Branch
Define the following staff sections:
J/G/S-3
Staff Sections
J – Joint Staff (An inter-service command)
G – General Staff (Commands with a general officer)
S – Staff (Commands where the CO is below the rank of general officer)
J/G/S-3 – Operations
-Responsible for training, plans, operations, and organization.
- Directly responsible to the Commanding General for operational matters.
- The G-3 Division consists of:
- Current Operations/Exercises Branch
- Future Operations Branch
- Air Branch
- Force Fires/Training Branch
- Tactical Exercise Control Group (TECG)
- Special Operations Training Group (SOTG)
- Reserve Affairs Branch
Define the following staff sections:
J/G/S-4
Staff Sections
J – Joint Staff (An inter-service command)
G – General Staff (Commands with a general officer)
S – Staff (Commands where the CO is below the rank of general officer)
J/G/S-4 – Logistics
-Plans, coordinates, and supervises the provision of combat logistics in the areas of supply, maintenance, transportation, health services, engineer support, landing support, materials handling, food services, mortuary affairs, and host-nation support.
- Directly responsible to the Commanding General for logistics support of III MEF; forces.
- The G-4 Division consists of the following branches:
- Executive/ Administrative
- Operations
- Engineer
- Strategic Mobility
- Logistic Plans
- Supply
- and Health Services
Define the following staff sections:
J/G-5
Staff Sections
J – Joint Staff (An inter-service command)
G – General Staff (Commands with a general officer)
S – Staff (Commands where the CO is below the rank of general officer)
J/G-5 – Planning
- Responsible for all long-range (future) planning and joint planning.
- Only found at MEF and MARFOR levels – lower than that, planning is done by G-3
- Directly responsible to the Commanding General for planning.
- The mission of the G-5 is to assist and advise the Commanding General in matters pertaining to:
- general war planning
- contingency planning
- forces planning
- joint policy and doctrine
- command relationships
- service programs
- Rules of Engagement
- other matters as may be directed
Define the following staff sections:
J/G/S-6
Staff Sections
J – Joint Staff (An inter-service command)
G – General Staff (Commands with a general officer)
S – Staff (Commands where the CO is below the rank of general officer)
J/G/S-6 – Communications
-Identifies Communications and Information Systems (CIS) requirements, and supports along with G-3.
- Directly responsible to the Commanding General for communications and information systems matters.
- The G-6 Division consists of:
- Executive/ Administrative Branch
- Operations Branch
- Maintenance Section
- Information Systems Management Section
- MEF Communications Management Security (COMSEC) Management office JCMO).
Define the following staff sections:
J/G-7
Staff Sections
J – Joint Staff (An inter-service command)
G – General Staff (Commands with a general officer)
S – Staff (Commands where the CO is below the rank of general officer)
J/G-7 – Inspector General
-also Safety
-Conducts inspections of activities and units to ensure compliance with regulations, directions, and orders.
Define the following staff sections:
J/G-8
Staff Sections
J – Joint Staff (An inter-service command)
G – General Staff (Commands with a general officer)
S – Staff (Commands where the CO is below the rank of general officer)
J/G-8 – Comptroller
-Fiscal matters, financial management, annual budget, etc.
Define the following staff sections:
J/G-9
Staff Sections
J – Joint Staff (An inter-service command)
G – General Staff (Commands with a general officer)
S – Staff (Commands where the CO is below the rank of general officer)
J/G-9 Civil Affairs
-Assess the civil environment and implement civil considerations into operational planning and tactical execution. Basically getting a sense of cultural climate on overseas deployments.
Discuss the role of the following senior enlisted personnel in the chain of command:
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
- Duties are those specifically assigned by the commander on the discipline, welfare, conduct, morale, and leadership of enlisted personnel.
- Advises commander about enlisted personnel, and appraises morale
- Implements policies and standards on enlisted personnel performance, training, personal appearance, and conduct.
- SgtMaj of the Marine Corps: SMMC Troy Black
Sergeant Major of 3dMARDIV: SgtMaj Martinet
Sergeant Major of III MEF: SgtMaj Eric D. Cook
Discuss the role of the following senior enlisted personnel in the chain of command:
Command Master Chief
Command Master Chief CMDCM
- Advises the Commanding General, staff, and unit commanders regarding Navy policy for Navy enlisted matters.
- Advises CG, Surgeon, Chaplain, and dental/medical officers on all matters pertaining to the morale, welfare, utilization, and training of Navy enlisted members
- CMDCM of 3dMARDIV is CMDCM Donald Leppert.
Table of Organization (T/O)
Table of Organization (T/O)
- Prescribes organizational structure and personnel/equipment requirements for a military unit.
- sometimes called the Table of organization and equipment (TOE) = table which prescribes the normal wartime mission, organizational structure, and personnel and equipment requirements for a military unit. – the TOE is not an authorization document

