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By Fletcher Brooks
20th Public Affairs Detachment
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - "Battle staff" elements and functions are the foundation for many operations performed in the Army. It is the driving element behind tactical operation centers and command posts and must be able to predict events to defeat opposing forces' systems and networks.
Among the large operational network in which a battle staff operates, there is a unique component that assists the in operation and support the staff in remaining adaptive and proactive in today's operational environment and ever changing battle ... the non-commissioned officer.
According to Sgt. 1st Class Arthur Lloyd, who is currently deployed to Kuwait as the coalition intelligence operation center's non-commissioned officer in charge for U.S. Army Central, the battle staff is fostered to achieve the commander's intent.
"We have to shape and mold the way we fit the mission," said Lloyd. "We are the brains of the operation."
Although commands are different, they all have similar tasks and jobs that their staff principle must fulfill.
An effective battle staff must seamlessly interlace information from its various sections to maintain an eagle's eye view of the fight; a unique position, that the NCO is the driving force behind.
Lloyd, a Temple, Texas, native, who mobilized from the 3397th Garrison Support Unit out of Fort Campbell, Ky., explains the importance of NCOs in the battle staff.
"As an operations NCO, you have to know how to operate all of the systems," said Lloyd. "For example, if one of the battle captains is pulled to perform another task, I have to pick up the slack and take over that station."
Along with understanding, processing and digesting information, and giving the commander viable data so he can make better decisions, the NCO must supervise the information flow of the TOC and CP.
"The NCO will assist by advising, processing, researching and cross-walking information between the other battle sections," said Sgt. 1st Class Eric Brown, plans and operations for USARCENT in Atlanta. "[The battle staff NCO] will also battle-track information on a map, either digitally or with a tradition map overlay system."
Brown, a Fort Wayne, Ind., native, and recent graduate from the NCO Battle Staff Course, emphasizes the importance of the course and battle staff operation.
"[The NCO] must be able to interpret and depict various types of orders, military graphics and symbols, and have the ability to present information during a military briefing," explained Brown.
The NCO should have a clear understanding of their role and responsibility, and how they fit into the battle staff.
"[Before the course] understood what battle staff NCOs did, but didn't know the [exact] details," said Brown. "Having a better understanding of the process will give me a better appreciation and awareness of what's happening in a busy command post."
Along with their personal development and battle staff course training; the battle staff NCO's skills are also honed by the mentorship of senior NCOs.
"Many of the NCOs in this particular battle staff class have been involved in direct combat operations during OIF or OEF and I learned how each of them would use that experience on an actual battle staff," said Brown.
As with any element within the Army, the NCO continues to stand as the "backbone."
"A battle staff NCO must be a go-getter, able to communicate at all levels, build good working relationships, be flexible and time manage," emphasized Lloyd. "You have to be a jack of all trades."
For U.S. Army Central, which provides command and control to more than 35,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marine and Coast Guardsmen, through the support of the battle staff NCOs, the operation CP must be able to conduct joint and combined Full-Spectrum Operations in the Central Command's area of responsibility to defeat terrorism, promote regional stability, support allies and protect national interests.
| Date Taken: | 11.12.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 11.12.2008 03:28 |
| Story ID: | 26224 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 326 |
| Downloads: | 315 |
This work, Non-commissioned officers ... the "backbone" of command operations, by SSG Brooks Fletcher, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
