text: Command and Support Relationships
  provide authority to organize and employ commands and forces, nor does it include authoritative direction
  for administrative and logistic support. (See figure B-1 for a depiction of joint command relationships. See
  table B-1 for a listing of joint doctrine support categories.)
  Note. The joint command relationship of ‘Support’ is distinct from Army support relationships.
  See paragraphs B-23through B-28 for a discussion of Army support relationships.
  Figure B-1. Joint command relationships
  Table B-1. Joint support categories
  Category Definition
  General support Support given to the supported force as a whole and not to any particular
  subdivision thereof (JP 3-09.3).
  Mutual support That support which units render each other against an enemy, because of their
  assigned tasks, their position relative to each other and to the enemy, and their
  inherent capabilities (JP 3-31).
  Direct support A mission requiring a force to support another specific force and authorizing it to
  answer directly to the supported force’s request for assistance (JP 3-09.3).
  Close support The action of the supporting force against targets or objectives that are sufficiently
  near the supported force as to require detailed integration or coordination of the
  supporting action (JP 3-31).
  B-12. Support is, by design, somewhat vague but very flexible. Establishing authorities ensure both
  supported and supporting commanders understand the authority of supported commanders. JFCs often
  establish supported and supporting relationships among components. An Army headquarters designated as
  the land component may be the supporting force during some campaign phases and the supported force in