About Civil Affairs (CA)
Civil Affairs (CA):
Definition: (DOD - Dept of Defense) The activities of a commander that
establish, maintain, influence, or exploit relations between
military forces and civil authorities, both governmental and
nongovernmental, and the civilian populace in a friendly,
neutral, or hostile area of operations in order to
facilitate military operations and consolidate operational
objectives. Civil affairs may include performance by
military forces of activities and functions normally the
responsibility of local government. These activities may
occur prior to, during, or subsequent to other military
actions.
Civil Military Operations (CMO):
Definition: (DOD - Dept of Defense) Group of planned activities in support of military operations that enhance the relationship between the military forces and civilian authorities and population and which promote the development of favorable emotions, attitudes, or behavior in neutral, friendly, or hostile groups.
Summary, Civil Affairs (CA):
- Civil Affairs operators advise military commanders by working with civil authorities and civilian populations in the commander’s area of operations to lessen the impact of military operations on them during peace, contingency operations and declared war.
- With their expertise in civil matters, CA operators are the principle unit in assisting a commander in the conduct of civil-military operations.
- CA operators act as a liaison between the civilian inhabitants of a war zone or disaster area and the military presence, both informing the local commander of the status of the civilian populace as well as effecting assistance to locals by either coordinating military operations with non-governmental organizations or directly distributing aid & supplies.
