FM/C36 - About the Force Manual (FM)

---

The FM outlines our core skills, policies and guides to ensure every member stands ready for the mission ahead.

The UNITAF Force Manual (FM) serves as a comprehensive guide, detailing the standard operating procedures, strategies, and foundational principles governing UNITAF operations. Designed for both novice and experienced members, the FM encompasses the breadth and depth of UNITAF's operational philosophy.

The overarching organisational segments of the FM, these help in broadly categorizing the content, making navigation simpler.

Nested within Chapters (or Subchapters where applicable), these are collections of contextually connected content. Each group houses a series of blocks that align with the group's thematic focus. Groups are assigned a reference such as: FM/GXX

Guides within the Force Manual present best practices and recommended approaches. They offer valuable insights, suggestions, and practical advice to enhance member performance and unit effectiveness. While Guides are not mandatory policies and are not formally enforced or evaluated, they provide extra context, a more in-depth explanation, or explain how systems work. They play a role in sharing collective knowledge.

Guide Blocks:

• Are primarily text: The core information should be conveyed through text, not solely reliant on attached images.
• Are not required knowledge: Content should be beneficial but not essential for basic unit function or mandatory knowledge.
• Provide supplementary information: Offers extra context, in-depth explanations, technical details, or optional advanced techniques.

Interpretation: Should be considered “best practice” suggestions or helpful advice.

Enforcement: Not directly enforced, or explains how a system works - where that system automatically enforces something.

Policies are immutable rules and regulations that are integral to the Force Manual. They firmly establish UNITAF's mandatory standards, shaping member actions, behaviours, and the overall operational ethos. Policies define the non-negotiable boundaries and requirements. Policies are enforced by Unit Command to ensure consistent adherence to established standards and maintain order and structure within UNITAF operations and member conduct. 

Policy Blocks:

• Are easily interpreted: Content should not have a steep learning curve and be readily understandable.
• Are actionable and unambiguous: Should be written in a manner where it is easy to objectively determine whether an action contrary to the policy has occurred or not, with a clearly defined scope of application.
• Are approved: Should only contain content that has been formally agreed upon in accordance with FM/G171 - Part 5: Philosophy of Doctrine Change, as breaches of policies are usually investigated.

Interpretation: Should be considered “must-follow rules” that are officially enforced.

Enforcement: Policies are enforced by Unit Command via Personnel Command, as outlined in FM/BP-225 - Article 1: Code of Conduct and FM/BP-255 - Violations of the Code of Conduct.

Skill Blocks provide detailed breakdowns of essential competencies required for effective UNITAF operations. They are designed to equip UNITAF members with the knowledge and abilities necessary to excel in different roles. Each skill outlined in the Force Manual is actionable and evaluable, focused on demonstrable proficiency. Unlike Policies, Skill development and assessment is designed for peer-to-peer (P2P) evaluation, for continuous skill improvement, feedback, and shared learning within the unit. Skill Blocks are focused on developing practical expertise. 

Skill Blocks:

• Have an imperative title: Should have a title written as an imperative, in the form of: "Do action (to achieve this result)". Example: "Communicate Effectively (to coordinate fire support)".
• Use imperative and direct language: Should be written in an imperative style, without directly addressing the reader in the second person (e.g., "you") or using third-person address. Example: "Maintain situational awareness." not "You must maintain situational awareness." or "Members should maintain situational awareness."
• Are clearly formatted: Should primarily use bullet points instead of full sentences wherever possible for conciseness and readability.
• Are defined: Should not cover abstract concepts but focus on well-defined, observable skills that can be evaluated and trained.
• State desired outcomes: Should clearly state the desired outcome or purpose of performing the skill.

Interpretation: Should be considered “competency guides” designed for learning and peer evaluation.

Enforcement: Skills are monitored, trained and enforced by the Training Teams who oversee the Combat Areas to which the skills relate.

The 'Training Team' is a specialised group within the unit responsible for overseeing and managing the evaluation and improvement of a specific combat area. Comprising appointed individuals including Chief Instructors, Staff Instructors, Training Instructors, and Observers, the team operates under the guidance of Training Command. Each member has distinct roles and responsibilities, ranging from providing subject matter expertise to facilitating training sessions and assessing skill levels. Together, they ensure that training standards are met, skills are effectively taught and practiced, and feedback is provided to enhance individual and unit proficiency in specific combat areas.

• Designated member of the unit serving as a subject matter expert in a specific combat area
• Minimum of 1 and maximum of 2 may be assigned to any combat area
• Acts as a senior advisor to unit command, providing guidance on potential changes and advising on ongoing discussions
• Active participant in training, application, and observation of combat area skills
• Holds the highest weighted opinion among all other roles
• Accountable to both the Staff Instructor and Training Command
• Appointment made at the discretion of Training Command

• Member of J7 Staff responsible for overseeing a specific combat area, its training and training team
• Minimum of 1 and maximum of 2 per skill card; each staff member can oversee up to 4 skill cards in total
• Serves as the primary point of contact in the combat area for Training Command, Chief Instructors, Instructors, Observers, and the wider unit
• Ensures adequate training and practices are conducted through the training team
• Appoints and removes Training Instructors and Observers as needed, based on advice from Chief Instructors and in collaboration with Training Command
• Collaborates with Policy staff to implement changes and distribute them upon publication by Unit Command
• Holds the second highest weighted opinion among the roles involved
• Actively participates in training, application, and observation of combat area skills
• Accountable to Training Command and appointed at their discretion

• Unit member appointed as a Training Instructor in a specific combat area, having transitioned from the role of Observer
• Recognized by the training team as a well-rounded individual capable of effectively teaching relevant combat area skills in group settings
• Possesses a solid understanding of the combat area skills
• Holds the third highest weighted opinion among the roles involved
• Limited to a maximum of 6 Training Instructors per combat area
• Actively engages in training, application, and observation of combat area skills
• Accountable to both the Staff Instructor and Chief Instructors

• A member of the unit who is appointed as an Observer in a specific combat area, who in the eyes of the training team is trusted to assess others in a non-teaching capacity in the combat areas skills.
• Typically a starting role on route to Training Instructor.
• Holds the lowest weighted opinion.
• Maximum of 8 per combat area
• Active in the training, application and observation of combat area skills.
• Accountable to the Training Instructors and Chief Instructors.