text: Maneuver Enhancement Brigade
  1-27. Functional brigades and the MEB provide different capabilities to the supported headquarters, and
  sometimes both units are required. A functional brigade is needed with large and complex functional tasks
  that require three or more functional battalions of the same type. Additional MEBs are required if span of
  control is exceeded.
  1-28. The MEB bridges a capability gap between the limited functional units (CBRN, engineer, and military
  police) of the BCTs and the more capable functional brigades. This headquarters provides a more functional
  staff capability than BCTs, but usually less than a functional brigade. The key difference between the MEB
  and the functional brigades is the breadth and depth of the MEB multifunctional staff. The MEB provides
  complementary and reinforcing capabilities. Based on its task organization and mission, the MEB can detach
  functional modular units or combined arms elements (task forces or company teams) to support the BCTs for
  specific tasks and, potentially, other multifunctional brigades, providing functional and combined arms
  support across the higher headquarters AO.
  1-29. The MEB can provide command and control for units in transition as they arrive in the division AO or
  when they are in between task organizations and then detach those units to provide added support to BCTs
  or functional brigades when needed. The MEB capability to support onward movement and integration
  enables the modular Army to employ assets when and where they are required.
  1-30. The MEB may control the terrain where other support or functional brigades are located. They
  synchronize their operations with other tenant support brigades. The MEB may require capabilities in a
  command or support relationship from the other support brigades. The MEB should have some command
  and control authority over the organizations positioned within the MEB AO to conduct security and defense;
  this may be TACON for security and defense. The MEB should also receive liaisons to coordinate and
  synchronize operations between specific command structures to foster positive relationships.
  1-31. The MEB may support other functional brigades or BCTs. For example, the MEB can be expected to
  coordinate or provide protection of designated sustainment packages or convoys transiting through the MEB
  AO. The MEB is also dependent on the other support brigades to fill capability gaps that were identified
  during mission planning.
  OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK
  1-32. The operational framework provides Army leaders with basic conceptual options for arraying forces
  and visualizing and describing operations. An operational framework is a cognitive tool used to assist
  commanders and staffs in clearly visualizing and describing the application of combat power in time, space,
  purpose, and resources in the concept of operations (ADP 1-01). The operational framework provides an
  organizing construct for visualizing and describing operations by echelon in time and space within the context
  of an AO, area of influence, and area of interest. It provides a logical architecture for determining the
  responsibilities, permissions, and restrictions for subordinate echelons, and by doing so enables freedom of
  action and unity of effort. When used in conjunction with effective operational graphics, it provides
  commanders the ability to provide intent, develop shared visualization, and ultimately create the shared
  understanding necessary for the exercise of initiative at every echelon.
  1-33. The operational framework has four components. First, commanders are assigned an AO for the
  conduct of operations, from which, in turn, they assign AOs to subordinate units based on their visualization
  of the operation. Units should be assigned AOs commensurate with their ability to influence what happens
  within them. Second, within their assigned AO, commanders designate deep, close, support, and rear areas
  to describe the physical arrangement of forces in time, space, and purpose. Third, commanders establish
  decisive, shaping, and sustaining operations to further articulate an operation in terms of purpose. Finally,
  commanders designate the main and supporting efforts to designate the shifting and prioritization of
  resources. See ADP 3-0, FM 3-0, and FM 3-94 for additional information on the operational framework.