Civil-military co-operation

Civil-Military Co-operation (CIMIC) is the means by which a military commander connects with civilian agencies active in a theatre of operations.

CIMIC activities are co-ordinated via the "G9" staff branch of a divisional, or other, headquarters. In high-level tri-service, or Joint, headquarters (JHQ), the department is termed "J9".

History

The United States Army has, since the Second World War, maintained civil affairs units. Part of their function includes CIMIC tasks, however, they have a much broader function and a different focus from most other CIMIC organizations. In the mid-1990s, primarily in response to lessons learned in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, most NATO members began developing their own CIMIC structures.

Operations

For most civilians, whether private citizens, national or international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), or the official local administration, the most obvious indicator of the presence of a CIMIC organisation for their area will be a designated "CIMIC House" or "CIMIC Center". This is literally a house, or other building, or – say – offices set up in the existing town-hall, loaned by the local administration or – in the absence of any viable civil structure – requisitioned by the military. The center is advertised as such and becomes the designated point of contact (POC) for civilians with a problem that they believe the local military could solve. The building may or may not be permanently manned; if not, then even in a benign security environment, some form of permanent local guard is usually advisable.