text: Stability Considerations for Transitions
  To ensure unity of effort, the territorial form of transitional military authority and the operational forces
  must maintain close communications, cooperation, and coordination.
  2-60. In practice, the exact form of authority should be adapted to suit the political and military situation in
  the operational area. A territorial form of transitional military authority may draw certain features from an
  operational form, or vice versa. As operations progress, the character of the military authority may evolve
  according to the situation, mirroring the effort to build host-nation capacity. In certain cases, one type of
  military authority may dominate in one region of the host nation, while another type is better suited for
  another region.
  Local Government Officials and Departments
  2-61. Successfully implementing transitional military authority often depends on how the host-nation
  government and its civilians participate and contribute. The transitional military authority thoroughly
  assesses the capability of the remaining host-nation government officials. This assessment determines if
  those officials can support and contribute to transitional military authority. The long-term success of the
  operation may depend on this assessment. If permitted by international law, offices that are unnecessary or
  detrimental to the transitional military authority may close temporarily, and officials who refuse to serve
  the best interests of the transitional military authority may be suspended. However, such officials may be
  retained in an advisory capacity at the discretion of the military commander. In such cases, they should
  continue to receive compensation for their services.
  2-62. Generally, if a transitional military authority needs to be established, high-ranking political officials
  of the former government will not continue to hold office. Such officials may include heads of the host-
  nation government, cabinet ministers, and other political elites. To the extent permitted by international
  law, the transitional military authority may be required to perform certain duties that would otherwise fall
  to individuals in these positions.
  2-63. Typically, mere membership in unfriendly organizations or political groups is not by itself
  considered sufficient grounds for removal from office. However, officials who have served as active
  leaders of such organizations or political groups may need to leave office. Similarly, officials who prove
  unreliable or corrupt must leave office through legal action or through an open, transparent administrative
  process. The willful failure of retained officials to perform their duties satisfactorily is a serious offense
  against the transitional military authority.
  2-64. The commander’s decisions about whether or not to retain leaders of the local government will likely
  vary. In some areas, full local participation may be the norm, while in other areas entire departments and
  bureaus of the local government may need to close. Where practical, the transitional military authority
  should retain subordinate officials and employees of the local government. These officials can continue to
  discharge their duties under the direction and supervision of appropriately trained military personnel. Under
  certain circumstances, military forces may protect officials who continue to serve in, or are appointed to,
  local public service. Hostile elements may pose a threat to these individuals.
  2-65. In some areas, the local populace may have had very limited participation in government due to
  centralized power in an authoritarian regime or a dominating foreign power. Elitist groups may also have
  focused regional, provincial, or municipal power under their control, negating the participation of the local
  populace. In such cases, civilian officials of the former government may flee. Even if they remain, it may
  be impractical or unsafe for them to continue in office. For this reason, building new partner capability—
  training local nationals to assume certain government positions—must often precede long-term efforts in
  building partner capacity.
  2-66. When military authority removes a local official or that official is unavailable, the transitional
  military authority seeks a fully qualified, trained, and experienced replacement. When selecting officials,
  the military authority considers their reliability, willingness to cooperate with the transitional military
  authority, and status in the community. The transitional military authority does not make permanent
  appointments, however. If a suitable candidate is not available, a representative of the transitional military
  authority performs the duties of the position until an appropriate replacement can assume the duties.