Functional Area 50

By G-8 for STAND-TO!August 24, 2010

Functional Area 50

What is it'

Functional Area 50 (FA50) Force Management professionals turn doctrine and requirements into capabilities by allocating resources and fielding equipment to fill those requirements. FA50 professionals work on division and higher staffs, and they work closely with combatant commanders to create mission-ready, campaign-quality expeditionary forces.

FA50 officers work on the Army Staff, Joint Staff, the Office of the Secretary of Defense as well as at major headquarters including U.S. Army Central, U.S. Army Pacific, U.S. Army Europe, U.S. Central Command, Forces Command, Training and Doctrine Command as well as corps and division headquarters. Army Reserve and National Guard FA50s are at the Office of the Chief, Army Reserve, U.S. Army Reserve Command, and in every state and territory. The proponent for FA50 is the Army G-8.

What has the Army done'

The Army recognizes Force Management as a specialization significant to meeting the needs of the warfighter. Force Management comprises the many complex processes and systems by which the Army is organized, manned, equipped and maintained. Functional Area 50 performs the force management duty for the Army. FA50 Soldiers are expert problem solvers who help commanders get the capabilities their units need to be successful. Officers elect to specialize as Force Managers after becoming basic-branch qualified. The FA50 Qualification Course (Q-Course) provides a basic understanding of the process of operational design and documentation, equipment and manpower resourcing, and materiel acquisition and fielding with intensive, graduate-level instruction and practical hands-on exercises.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future'

The Army and the Joint community recognize the value of trained Army Force Management Officers. Transformation and Modernization initiatives have increased the demand for Force Management expertise on headquarters staffs at division level and higher. The Q-Course is constantly updated to ensure it contains the latest force management information and meets the needs of officers and their commanders. The proponent provides professional development opportunities through advanced civil schooling, Army fellowships, training with industry and broadening experiences such as Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental and Multinational (JIMM)

assignment options. A Force Management forum appears on the Battle Command Knowledge System to keep the latest force management information available to the field. A recently established Senior Force Managers Seminar gives executive level development for colonels and senior lieutenant colonels.

Why is this important to the Army'

Today's battlefield and the enemy are constantly changing. The Army must be able to quickly adjust with new organizations and equipment. Force Management professionals assist the Army and combatant commanders in transforming and modernizing the force to meet any new challenge.

Resources:

<a href="http://www.fa50.army.mil/" target="_blank"> Functional Area 50</a>

<a href="http://www.afms1.belvoir.army.mil/" target="_blank">Armed Forces Management School