Combat support

Operational assistance to combat elements In the United States Army, the term combat support refers to units that provide fire support and operational assistance to combat elements. Combat support units provide specialized support functions to combat units in the following areas: Chemical warfare Combat engineering Military intelligence Security Communications Combat support should not be confused with combat service support. Combat support units are focused on providing operational support to combat units, while combat service support units are focused on providing logistical support to combat units. Actual combat units are collectively referred to as combat arms units; hence, all army units fall into the category of either combat arms, combat support, or combat service support. United States Army Currently, U.S. Army organizational doctrine uses the classification "Maneuver, Fires and Effects" (MFE) and "Operations Support" (OS) to group the former combat support arms branches into Maneuver Support; Special Operations Forces; Network and Space Operations; and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance functional areas. Within the U.S. Army, the traditional combat support bran