The Battalion XO's (Executive Officer's) Evolving Role during Continuous Combat Operations: Cybernetic Fix or Command Back Up

Abstract

This monograph reviews the doctrinal duties of the maneuver battalion Executive Officer (XO) from World War I to the present. The role of the XO changed over time with different emphasis and priorities in respective eras. The purpose of this monograph is to focus attention on the XO during the late 1980s. The conduct of successful combat operations at battalion level requires timely action by the XO. Yet, a detailed picture of how his complex duties interact is not available. Recent training experience resurrects the chief of staff role with additional Combat Service Support (CSS) responsibilities and the second in command (2IC) responsibility. Inconsistent priorities for the XO create a combination of missions critical to the battalion but difficult, if not impossible, to execute simultaneously. A look at this predicament is warranted. The XO requires detailed analysis by the Army or the smallest staff organization may find itself incapable of synchronizing the actions required for success in combat.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 27, 1988
Accession Number
ADA211611

Entities

People

  • Albert P. Lawson

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artillery
  • Combat Operations
  • Combat Support
  • Combat Vehicles
  • Command And Control
  • Command And Control Systems
  • Control Systems
  • Field Grade Officers
  • Fire Support
  • Lessons Learned
  • Operating Systems
  • Personnel Management
  • Schools
  • Task Forces
  • Training
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Educational Psychology
  • Military Leadership and Professional Education.
  • Military Training and Readiness Simulation