text: Chapter 1
  or branch generates effects in the unique environment of the land domain to support the Army's operational
  concept. The four FS functions are the minimum requirements the FS system must fulfill to destroy,
  neutralize, or suppress the enemy. They give the commander and FSCOORD a frame of reference to evaluate
  and assess the overall effectiveness of the FS system. These four FS functions are:
  * Support forces in contact.
  * Support the concept of operations.
  * Synchronize and converge FS systems, and effects (lethal and nonlethal) across all domains.
  * Sustain and protect the FS system.
  1-33. These functions serve as unifying factors for the entire FS system and apply to the systems individual
  components. The four functions do not change or replace the traditional missions, roles, and operations of
  the different Army and joint FS assets. They do, however, provide a common point of departure for an
  operationally unified FS system. For example, U.S. Air Force aircraft in support of ground operations must
  accomplish the four functions simultaneously. However, the Air Force does not consciously plan to work the
  four functions. Rather, it accomplishes its ground support mission through its execution of close air support
  (CAS), and air interdiction (AI). The final assessment of the ground support mission must be made in terms
  of the four functions. The mission command principles in general – disciplined initiative in particular –
  underpin these functions at all warfighting echelons. To further clarify these points, it is necessary to examine
  each function in greater detail; this will be done in Chapter 3.
  CHARACTERISTICS OF FIRE SUPPORT
  “Get the job done, tidy up the battlefield later.” Gen. Jack N. Merritt (Field Artillery)
  1-34. The purpose of a characteristic is to clearly establish essential attributes that the organization or
  function must possess to be effective. These characteristics are inherent in the design, mind-set, and
  equipment for the FA and provides our branch the ability to accomplish our role. The characteristics of FS
  are:
  * To violently apply lethal fires in accordance with the law of war and established rules of
  engagement (ROE).
  * To always operate in the spirit of the offense.
  * To always operate as a single entity.
  VIOLENTLY APPLY LETHAL FIRES WITHIN THE LAW OF WAR AND ROE
  1-35. In large-scale combat operations, the goal of every FSCOORD, is to orchestrate a perfect harmony of
  intense violence within the law of war and established ROE in support of the supported commander's concept
  of operations. Law of war is that part of international law that regulates the conduct of armed hostilities (JP
  3-84). Rules of engagement are directives issued by competent military authority that delineate the
  circumstances and limitations under which U. S. forces will initiate and/or continue combat engagement with
  other forces encountered (JP 3-84). Unit commanders always retain the inherent right and obligation to
  exercise self-defense in response to a hostile act or demonstrated hostile intent.
  “If you would make war, wage it with energy and severity; it is the only means of making
  it shorter and consequently less deplorable for mankind.” Gen. Napoleon Bonaparte
  ALWAYS OPERATE IN THE SPIRIT OF THE OFFENSE
  1-36. Fire support must always be conducted in the spirit of the offense. Regardless of whether the maneuver
  or supported force is engaged in the offense or defense, its FS must be offensively minded as it rapidly and
  continuously strikes HPTs across all domains. For example, when a maneuver unit seizes an assigned
  objective and transitions to the defense its FS system continues to aggressively search for and attack HPTs
  throughout the depth of the maneuver unit's assigned area of operations (AO) in a proactive and responsive
  manner.