Combat Support Services

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Combat Service Support
CSS in 4 different functions:
-Offensive operations will require as much support as far forward as possible. Ready
resupplies such as ammunition, weapons maintenance, and first aid will be critical at this level along
with communication needs and up-to-date intelligence.
-Defensive operations require additional ammunition and medical but will also require
additional support in the way of fortification material and manpower to help in turning a
defensive posture into an offensive one.
-Stability operations can serve multiple purposes, from a long-term supply of forward operating
teams to emergency and humanitarian efforts to peace enforcement missions that may
require combat.
-Support operation’s most critical task is CSS… Minuteman forces would offer and provide
support to civilian agencies in times of humanitarian need and respond to civil unrest,
emergencies, and natural disasters. Being able to react quickly and efficiently to help with search
& rescue efforts, medical needs, and additional security would be a valuable asset.
Modern Minuteman needs
-Sustaining Modern Minuteman operations is a challenge for CSS planners and operational
units. Each MM operation requires some combination of mature theater and contingency CSS.
Modern Minuteman CSS planners apply their knowledge of conventional CSS operations to
meet specific MM needs. The fundamentals of contingency CSS apply to most MM operations.
-The nature of Minuteman operations frequently imposes stringent operations security (OPSEC)
requirements on the CSS system. Certain Minuteman operations would be extremely sensitive
and require compartmentalization of their support to avoid compromise. Supporting CSS
planners ensure OPSEC within their own activities.
-Modern Minuteman units are comparatively small and will serve and participate in a varied
number of roles and missions. From long-range reconnaissance patrols (LRRP) to quick reaction
neighborhood response teams, to coordinated assistance with local civilian governments and
LEOs, they will consume few critical combat supplies (Class I, bulk Class III, and Class V).
However, they use special operations-peculiar and low-density items of standard and
nonstandard configuration. The solution to Modern Minuteman CSS requirements is
area-specific and mission-dependent.
**Modular designed/mission-specific packages will be the most efficient way to support
missions. Most Modern Minuteman units would have an initial deployment package (IDP) that
would be their basic kit with mission-oriented gear and a follow-on package (FOP) would be
staged and ready to supplement the mission at a predetermined point with a request from the
operating Minuteman unit!**
Classes of Supply
I. Subsistence (food/rations), gratuitous health and comfort items.
II. Clothing, individual equipment, tentage, organizational tool sets and kits, hand tools,
unclassified maps, administrative and housekeeping supplies and equipment.
III. Petroleum, fuels, lubricants, hydraulic and insulating oils, preservatives, liquids and gases,
bulk chemical products, coolants, deicer and antifreeze compounds, components, and additives
of petroleum and chemical products, and coal.
IV. Construction materials, including installed equipment, and all fortification and barrier
materials.
V. Ammunition of all types, bombs, explosives, mines, fuzes, detonators, pyrotechnics, and
associated items.
VI. Personal demand items (such as health and hygiene products, soaps and toothpaste, writing
material, snack food, beverages, cigarettes, batteries, and cameras).
VII. Major end items such as mobile machine shops, and vehicles.
VIII. Medical materiel including repair parts peculiar to medical equipment.
IX. Repair parts and components to include kits, assemblies, and subassemblies (repairable or
non-repairable) required for maintenance support of all equipment.
X. Material to support nonmilitary programs such as agriculture and economic development (not
included in Classes I through IX).
Miscellaneous. I Water, salvage, and captured material.

Putting Combat Service Support into action
Upon receipt of a mission, CSS planners conduct a mission analysis to develop their initial
vision, which they continually confirm or modify. To visualize the desired outcome, CSS planners
must clearly understand the mission, enemy, troops, terrain and weather, time, and civilian
considerations (METT-TC) in the area of operation:
• What is the mission?
• What are the enemy’s capabilities and likely actions?
• What are the characteristics of the AO?
• Do weather and terrain favor friendly or enemy actions?
• How much time is available?
• What CSS factors are most important?
• What role do civil considerations play?

Support Personnel
Combat Service Support could be made up of the following support positions:
S1, for manpower or personnel
S2, for intelligence and security
S3, for operations
S4, for logistics
S5, for plans
S6, for signals (i.e., communications or IT)