Commentary: Direct Support (DS)

Direct support is “the support provided by a unit or formation not attached to, nor under command of, the supported unit or formation, but required to give priority to the support required by that unit or formation.” (FM 1-02) In the case of the brigade support battalion of a BCT, this support is organic to the BCT making the term direct support not applicable.

While this term is technically correct for UEx/UEy CSS units not assigned to a sustainment brigade or any of the other functional CSS brigades, it often implies a command and control (C2) relationship that may or may not exist. In this sense, prioritized CSS support might be better described as dedicated.

There are (currently) four accepted C2 relationships: assigned, attached, OPCON, and TACON. There are three accepted support relationships: direct, general, and area. In the case of direct support, the supporting unit has no C2 relationship with the supported unit or units. This isn't necessarily true for the units of the BSB.

The field maintenance company, distribution company, and brigade support medical company provide support to the entire brigade. Since they are organic to the brigade, their support relationship cannot be described as DS. The forward support companies of the BSB provide habitual organic support to a particular combat arms battalion to which they are not assigned.

However, depending on the situation, the FSC is either OPCON or TACON to the combat arms battalion. The commander in control considers how to use the FSC to accomplish his assigned mission, but does not provide authoritative direction for matters of administration, discipline, internal organization, or unit training.