text: Chapter 2
  bypass the next level—or levels—of command in a request for information and guidance. In such cases, the
  contact usually is an attempt to get information about a planned, ongoing, or accomplished personnel
  recovery mission. POC responsibilities include obtaining the necessary training to be able to inform the
  command of its personnel recovery responsibilities.
  Staff Coordinator
  2-26. Personnel recovery officers are responsible to establish staff relationships with coordinating,
  personal, or special staff officers. Establishing and maintaining the interpersonal links and exercising the
  communications systems enable the PRCS’s personnel recovery experts to be ready. The coordination
  responsibilities can be routine or exceptional, depending on the situation. Routine coordination includes
  being a part of the daily contingency planning cycle. The difference between the POC and staff coordinator
  responsibility is the level of activity and personal involvement. Whether located within the staff of a
  battalion or brigade, or one of the cells at echelon above brigade headquarters, the personnel recovery
  officer is a member of the team that contributes to the successful accomplishment of the recovery mission.
  As a staff coordinator, a personnel recovery officer provides doctrinally correct input to an Army unit
  OPLAN or OPORD and may also serve as the officer in charge of a recovery operation.
  ECHELON RESPONSIBILITIES
  2-27. Personnel recovery is a priority at every echelon of the joint and Army commands. It is an essential
  part of unit operations and planning. In addition to the actions of commanders, staffs, and personnel
  recovery officers, each command echelon has personnel recovery responsibilities. Higher echelons are
  typically competent not only in their own tasks, but also in those of subordinates. The responsibilities
  discussed within each echelon are listed in no specific order.
  2-28. Leaders at all levels fill a crucial role in the personnel recovery structure. Personnel recovery as a
  discipline is more visible at higher echelons, including joint levels of command. At the lowest level,
  personnel recovery is a part of the many tasks the individual Soldier must master. Commanders at this
  echelon have no dedicated protection functional cell but are still responsible for integrating personnel
  recovery into operations. The company-level Soldier may be familiar with the term personnel recovery but
  is more likely to identify with the component skills necessary to avoid isolating events such as land
  navigation, survival training, first aid, marksmanship, small-unit tactics, and physical fitness. At battalion
  or brigade level, personnel recovery is an additional duty. The staff member with personnel recovery
  responsibilities needs to be more knowledgeable in its doctrine and include personnel recovery information
  in training and OPLANs and OPORDs. Protection integration at these echelons may require commanders to
  designate a staff lead to assume the role of protection officer to carry out the responsibilities performed by
  dedicated personnel at higher levels of command. Trained officers and noncommissioned officers at the
  upper echelons of Army operational forces provide a greater capacity to manage personnel recovery events
  and give greater visibility to the discipline. These headquarters also have the obligation to coordinate with
  higher, lower, and adjacent echelons.
  Tasks by Division, Corps, and Theater Army Headquarters
  2-29. Division, corps, and theater army headquarters have organic personnel recovery staff support. The
  personnel recovery officer of the PRCS requests augmentation if needed. Normally, the PRCS has the
  responsibilities and organization described in paragraphs 2-38 through 2-44. Additionally, JP 3-50 offers
  more detail on the specific responsibilities for Service component and joint commands. PRCSs at the
  division, corps, and theater levels establish, adequately staff, and fully train other PRCSs. PRCSs at the
  division, corps, and theater levels perform tasks associated with conducting Army operations, joint
  operations, coordination, training, and support.
  2-30. PRCSs at the division, corps, and theater levels perform the following tasks associated with
  conducting operations:
  * Plan, prepare, and execute personnel recovery operations when supporting or conducting
  operations under DOS chief of mission authority.