text: Chapter 1
  1-11. DSCA is not a primary task of the MEB; however, the MEB is a very capable force (when properly
  task-organized) to conduct DSCA operations. Appendix B provides MEB planners general guidance for
  conducting DSCA operations as part of their decisive action mission in stability operations or for
  humanitarian support or support of homeland civil authorities.
  HIGHER HEADQUARTERS
  1-12. Echelons above brigade (EAB) consist of divisions, corps, and theater Army headquarters. The division
  is optimized for the TACON of brigades during combat operations. The corps provides a headquarters that
  specializes in operations as a joint force land component command headquarters or that may be employed as
  an intermediate tactical headquarters. The theater Army headquarters serves as the Army Service component
  command, providing administrative control over ARFOR and some theater-wide planning and controlling
  support to joint forces. The Army Service component commander focuses on geographic combatant
  command level land power employment and support to joint, interagency, and multinational forces. All three
  headquarters are modular entities designed to employ expeditionary forces tailored to meet the requirements
  of specified joint operations.
  Division
  1-13. A division force package may include a mix of armored BCTs, infantry BCTs, and Stryker BCTs. In
  addition to BCTs, each division controls a tailored array of multifunctional and functional brigades. The
  division may control functional groups, battalions, or separate companies; however, these are normally task-
  organized to a brigade.
  1-14. The division uses BCTs to fight in battles and engagements. It uses support brigades primarily for
  shaping and sustaining operations and to complement or support BCTs. The MEB is normally assigned the
  division support area. The division support area may contain all or part of a sustainment brigade (other units
  or headquarters positioned in support of the division). The MEB conducts support area operations when given
  this role by the division.
  Echelons Above Division
  1-15. The corps is optimized to serve as an intermediate tactical headquarters for land operations. The corps
  may serve as an Army force headquarters or, with augmentation, as a joint task force headquarters or a joint
  force land component headquarters. A corps can deploy to any AO to exercise command and control for
  Army, joint, and multinational forces. The corps force is likely to include a MEB. Figure 1-2 is an example
  of a Corps as an intermediate land force headquarters.
  1-16. The AO is a fundamental control measure, and the commander assigns subordinate areas of operations
  based on METT-TC. It empowers subordinate initiative and provides a limit for decentralized execution. The
  first priority for allocation of terrain is to the divisions. The division AO should allow the division commander
  full use of division BCTs and supporting brigades. When serving as a joint task force headquarters or a joint
  force land component commander, the corps also assigns areas of operations to Marine Corps combat units,
  multinational divisions and brigades controlled by the corps, and MEBs attached to the corps.
  1-17. The corps establishes a support area when required. The support area requires a controlling
  headquarters (a division, a BCT, or a MEB). For major operations, considerably greater capabilities may be
  required. This may include a division, regional support groups, a second MEB, or a rear command post to
  control operations throughout the support area and rear area.
  1-18. A joint force commander may place a MEB in support of another Service or multinational forces, such
  as a Marine air ground task force, to provide command and control to Army units and capabilities that are
  assigned, attached, or made available to those forces during operations. As such, the MEB commander would
  serve as the senior Army commander and advisor responsible to the Marine commander and remain
  responsible to the Army force commander for internal Army issues.