Army Company CO and XO duties?

CPT Chris Loomis — Tue, 12 May 2015 12:43:54 -0400

Please forgive me as I should already know the answer to this question, but:

Q: What Army Field Manual or Army Regulation states the duties of the Commanding Officer and the Executive Officer at the Company level?

Please advise. And, THANK YOU in advance.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 1:02 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2015 13:02:53 -0400

This is different for every CO and XO. In FM 3-21.11, THE SBCT INFANTRY RIFLE COMPANY, they are explained there. But in FM 3-21.12 THE INFANTRY WEAPONS COMPANY, they are also explained there. There isn't a generic CO does this in a unit type of book. If there were you would be missing a lot of specifics. You have to find the FM or ADRP that is for your type of unit.

Response by LTC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 1:09 PM

LTC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2015 13:09:09 -0400

AR 600-20 Command Policy is a good start to let you know the responsibilities of commands at all echelons. For specific duties and responsibilities for key personnel in your unit, you should go the the branch specific FM or even the unit TACSOP. For example, the old FM 3-09.21 TTPs for the FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION listed specific duties and responsibilities for all the key battalion personnel. Same for FM 6-50 which did the same for the Artillery Battery key personnel.

Hope that helps LT. Bottom line for me, the CDR and XO need to be a team and the XO needs to do everything that he can to ensure the CDR doesn't fail. Assisting the CDR assists the unit. Remember your primary mission is to provide your higher echelon command a capable and well trained, ready unit. Keep that in mind and you'll do fine.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 1:10 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2015 13:10:03 -0400

Overall there is no specific fm. It's a compilation of experience and knowledge, but 6-22 army leadership, company level manuals, and the such may help. Try dapubs.army.mil, or go into your aka account, click the my services tab, find my doctrine in the drop down menu. It Will take you to the pubs site. you can download Pdf files of all unclassified fms, da forms, dd forms, attp, and anything else you are looking for.

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made May 12 at 2015 1:21 PM

CPT Chris Loomis — Tue, 12 May 2015 13:21:29 -0400

MAJ David Hatcher SGT Austin Kitchen 1LT Eric Rosa

THANK YOU GENTLEMEN! That was all exactly what I was looking for.

Response by BG David Fleming III made May 12 at 2015 5:50 PM

BG David Fleming III — Tue, 12 May 2015 17:50:45 -0400

Google it! You'd be surprise at what's out there.

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 12 at 2015 11:07 PM

COL Charles Williams — Tue, 12 May 2015 23:07:30 -0400

AR 600-20, Army Command Policy, is always a good place to start.

1. The Commander: Is responsible for everything unit does or fails to do. Look up Command Responsibility. Read it, know it, live it.

2. The XO = Do whatever the Commander says, so the Commander can focus on his/her priorities and main effort. This using means Supply and Maintenance are your focus as an XO.

http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r600_20.pdf

Response by 1LT A. Uribe made May 13 at 2015 9:14 AM

1LT A. Uribe — Wed, 13 May 2015 09:14:14 -0400

2LT Loomis, I'm currently XO for an aviation FSC and to break it down even more it goes like this. As an XO I trim the fat so that the CO can focus on the meat. COL Williams gave an excellent reference, use it think of yourself as a chief of staff as well.