1 Staff Officer Coordination USAMPS Captain’s Career Course

2 To outline common responsibilities and duties of staff officers and to identify effective staff coordination techniques. Purpose

3 References Field Manual (FM) 5-0, Army Regulation (AR) 25-50, Military Writing 52d Infantry Division & Fort Riley (Staff Officers Guide)

4 Outline Staff officer characteristics The staff’s role Staff actions Responsibilities and duties Staff coordination Keys to coordination Coordination “must do’s” Staff pitfalls Summary Questions Conclusions

5 A good staff officer should possess and demonstrate: - Competence - Flexibility - Initiative and judgment - Confidence - Creativity - Loyalty Staff Characteristics (1 of 2)

6 In addition, a good staff officer is : - A team player - An effective manager - An effective communicator Staff Characteristics (2 of 2)

7 The commander is responsible for all that his staff does or fails to do, but…………... The staff’s job is to: - Assist the commander in providing leadership, direction, and guidance. - Communicate the commander’s intent or decisions either verbally or in writing. - Be an extension of the commander. The Staff’s Role

8 Staff Actions Staff actions can be: - Estimate development - Conferences - Inspections - Briefings - Research Bottom Line: Any activity conducted by a staff officer at the direction of the commander is a “Staff Action.”

9 Responsibilities and Duties At a minimum you will be expected to : - Advise and provide information - Produce staff estimates - Conduct staff writing - Monitor execution of decisions - Execute problem solving - Leverage technology

10 A good staff and staff officer should: - Continuously provide information to the commander. - Advise the commander and staff on capabilities, limitations and requirements. - Help the commander see the “battlefield.” - Inform and advise the commander on directives and policy guidance. Advise and Provide Information

11 Production of Staff Estimates Estimates assist the commander in decision making. A staff estimate consists of significant facts, events, conclusions and recommendations. Adequate plans hinge on early and continuing estimate updates. Failure to make or update estimates may lead to errors or omissions.

12 Writing is a means of communicating ideas to the commander, subordinate unit commanders, and other staff officers. Staff officers must be able to prepare a variety of written products. Effective staff writing should convey the writer’s exact meaning and not be subject to misinterpretation. Briefings, electronic mail, staff papers, reports, and summaries are methods to write and disseminate information. Staff Writing

13 Staff officers must analyze and clearly articulate information. The problem and the main issues determine what kind of information is collected. The staff must rapidly process and provide critical elements of information to the commander. Valid conclusions are relevant to the topic and supported by data. Staff officers cannot be just data collectors and transmitters. Problem Solving

14 Leveraging Technology Powerpoint ABCS

15 Staff Coordination Coordination is a systematic way of communicating. It is the integrating function in management and is vital to any planned activity. A staff officer must have a thorough understanding of the commander’s intent.

16 Keys To Coordination Build your reputation through competence. Build relationships with subject matter experts and professionals. Deliver on promises. Treat others courteously, especially administrative personnel. If people deny your requests, thank them anyway; you may need their assistance later.

17 - Observe what is going on around you. - Find out who is making things happen. - Get a copy of the organization or installation staff officer’s guide.. As soon as you begin a new job, you must: Coordination “Must Do’s” Review: - The organization’s mission statement. - Organization and Functions Manual - Office files

18 Pitfalls Ineffective effort Inefficient effort Wasted effort Uninformed decision making Diminished reputation

19 Summary - Flexibility Staff Officer Characteristics The Staff’s Role Responsibilities and Duties Staff Coordination Staff Pitfalls - Communicate intent or decisions - Problem solving - Build your reputation through competence. - Diminished reputation

20 Questions ?

21 Conclusion “The staff officer should always seek to get completely into the mind of his or her commander...and normally there is plenty of room.” Anon