A real PSYOP Question on approval authority

[psyopranger]

In a country where you are not conducting combat operations but MOOTW, PO, SASO,NEO etc. Who is the approval authority for products in the country?

I say the USAMB but I am too lazy too look up the JP/FM doctrine.

[psyopranger]

forgot to mention it is a Combined Enviornment.

Peacetime. When PSYOP forces are deployed to perform peacetime PSYOP activities (activities conducted without a CJCS execute order), approval authority for PSYOP activities and products will be designated in the Deployment Order. Normally, product approval authority will rest with the combatant commander, component commander, US Ambassador or Chief of Mission (and may be delegated to an appropriate Country Team official by the US Ambassador).

-CJCSI 3110.01

Am I tracking or way off?

[TPD1280]

You're tracking as far as I know.

Ulitmate approval authority rests with NCA. His representative in country is the USAMB.

He will usually delegate that down to a Theater Commander who will further delegate to a CJPOTF Commander.

Any new campaigns will have to be cleared all the way up, but new products within and existing campaign should not have to go to the Embassy.

jtorak28 will know if there have been any changes to this.

[37F5V]

You're tracking. If this isn't hypothetical make sure that you find out exactly how you need to conduct business before you get booted out of country. Don't you remember all those Joint Ops and U.S. Country Team classes Bob gave you? My experience is with combat operations (sans USAMB) so perhaps one of our TDY getting SOUTHCOM folks can give you some more guidance.

[ilots]

You're tracking as far as I know.

Ulitmate approval authority rests with NCA. His representative in country is the USAMB.

He will usually delegate that down to a Theater Commander who will further delegate to a CJPOTF Commander.

Any new campaigns will have to be cleared all the way up, but new products within and existing campaign should not have to go to the Embassy.

jtorak28 will know if there have been any changes to this.
Full credit except, you forgot to give your response in the form of a question!

But I would be shocked to find any AMB that would allow a product in "his" country without his direct approval (or the approval of his designated country team member.)

We used to teach that 37's should expect AMB (country team) approval.
By doctrine product approval rests with AMB but could be designated, usually to the senior military commander. If I recall correctly, such was the case even with recent contingencies (Liberia and LATAM.)

[psyopranger]

One more caveat....

The HN invited us into country but we are operating as an interim force until the UN can follow on.

Can't say more for OPSEC....

I understood it the way TP1280 said it. CJTF Commander meets with USAMB who then can delegate approval authority to CJTF or JPOTF Commander.

[ekaphoto]

One more caveat....

The HN invited us into country but we are operating as an interim force until the UN can follow on.

Can't say more for OPSEC....

I understood it the way TP1280 said it. CJTF Commander meets with USAMB who then can delegate approval authority to CJTF or JPOTF Commander.

Do you have a SOFA agreement? If so that may tell you more.

[PSYWAR 1-0]

My experience is quite dated and involved CD/FID missions in SOUTHCOM in the late 90's.

When I was running the Mist in Ven the In country US approval chain was a Heads up to the MILGP Commander(a former POG Commander), then the NAS Director, then the CoM.

But we had the Bragg approval chain and the local HN approval chain that products had to go thru prior to getting to the Embassy for approval.

It was very hard to get products approved that everyone liked. The Mist, HN, NAS and Bragg all felt they knew what was right and became wedded to their products.

And dont get me started on how hard it was to do a combined campaign targeting Precourser Chemical transporters on the Colombia/Ven border.

[37F5V]

PM Sent.

[ilots]

Available from various AKO portals, however not for reprint. Check PM for links.

FM - 3-05.30 Chapter 1, 1-11 (CMD Authority; ) & 1-14 to 1-18 (PSYOP Approval Authority.)
Also see, Chapter 6, 6-18 (for PSE) & 6-20 (for POTF, should the criteria be met.)
You can also ref JP 0-2, chapter 3 for CMD relationships.

Typically (historically) the AMB will delegate his authorty to the DCM - who often includes his PAO (as PSYWAR may remember was the US Information Service) and other appropriate country team members in a review process - , rather than a combatant commander.
Doctrine has not changed much in this regard.

Sounds like your PPD/PPT should have a "fun" time. Then again, they can always encourage their supported commander to hash out or modify any delegation of authority with the country team. After all, you are "his" asset.