text: Context for Religious Support
  2-11. A natural tension exists between the echelons of command at the levels of war. This stems from
  different perspectives, requirements, and constraints associated with command at each level of war. The
  horizons for planning, preparing, executing, and assessing RS missions vary greatly from level to level. This
  impacts RS planning, preparation, execution, and assessment, and highlights the differences of RS tasks from
  battalion through ASCC.
  2-12. The tactical-level commander uses combat power in battles, engagements, and small-unit actions. At
  this level, operations can be rapid and dynamic in nature. Chaplain sections or UMTs at the tactical level of
  war focus primarily on the personal delivery of RS to their units as they maneuver in an AO. The chaplains
  and religious affairs specialists operating at the tactical level of war provide the most direct, daily, and
  responsive RS. The chaplain section or UMT is a key participant in the MDMP and determines the concept
  of support employed to complete the RS mission. The RS plan is produced with the focus on the execution
  of comprehensive religious coverage throughout all phases of the operation and identifying RS priorities
  throughout each phase of the operation. Supervisory chaplain sections and UMTs operating at this level
  provide technical supervision in the planning, preparation, execution and assessment of subordinate RS
  missions. When directed by their commanders, chaplains and religious affairs specialists plan and prepare
  Soldier and leader engagements support in order to engage local indigenous religious leaders as part of the
  unit’s Soldier and leader engagements strategy.
  2-13. The operational level of war links employing operating forces to achieving strategic objectives.
  Operational level commanders conduct major operations to establish conditions that define the end state. This
  entails a high degree of information access and data transfer, multitask management, and keen situational
  awareness. These chaplain sections possess the competencies to articulate strategic objectives to tactical units
  in a manner that empowers synchronization of RS operations and broad mission accomplishment.
  Operational-level RS is an advanced application of skills as a religious leader and professional military
  religious advisor. The chaplain section must understand the constraints of delivering RS within the
  operational area. They must understand how the regional religious environment affects operations. At the
  operational level, the chaplain section places a premium on continual mission analysis, development of
  detailed RS plans, and synchronization of actions. Chaplains and religious affairs specialists serving at this
  level, focus on the planning, analysis, management, and coordination of RS and religious-support assets
  across a larger AO.
  2-14. The strategic level of war is the level of war at which a nation determines national or multinational
  strategic security objectives and guidance, and develops and uses national resources to achieve these
  objectives. RS at the strategic level focuses on resourcing the Army with personnel; ecclesiastical supplies;
  responsive industrial-base, rapid-fielding initiatives; and appropriate RS policies and guidance. These
  resources further the free exercise of religion and guide national and combatant commanders as appropriate.
  Chaplains and religious affairs specialists at the strategic level ensure RS personnel are available at every
  subordinate level. They develop capabilities and solutions by analyzing the mission and domains of doctrine,
  organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, facilities, and policy. (For a full
  discussion of strategic RS, see both JG 1-05 and the religious affairs tasks from CJCSI 3500.02B). Chaplains
  operating at the strategic level enable combatant commanders to engage at senior levels with national
  religious figures. When directed by their commanders, chaplains and religious affairs specialists plan and
  prepare Soldier and leader engagements support in order to engage local indigenous religious leaders as part
  of the Soldier and leader engagements Strategy. This chaplain support to military engagement is highly
  contextualized and fully integrated into the theater security cooperation plan.
  UNIFIED ACTION AND RELIGIOUS SUPPORT
  2-15. Army operations integrate unified action partner capabilities and RS needs. Additional requirements
  may include regional and multinational support and cooperation. Stability and DSCA tasks involve legal,
  cultural, religious, demographic, and physical environmental factors. Events of a humanitarian crisis, natural
  disaster, and ethnic and religious conflicts offer even more deliberate religious planning considerations and
  demand more nuanced responses. When directed, chaplains consider the ramifications of delivering RS with
  the cultural and social behaviors in these complex and ambiguous environments.
  2-16. Interagency coordination occurs between agencies of the U.S. government, including the DOD, for the
  purpose of accomplishing a mission. Interagency relationships and activities are part of any unified action.