The Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) is a unique, multifunctional, mission command headquarters that is organized to perform support area operations for the echelon that it supports. It also has the Army capability to perform maneuver support operations. Each MEB headquarters begins with the same basic organization structure, staffing, and capabilities. Task organization is based on identified mission requirements for the echelon that it is supporting. It may be placed in support of Army, joint, interagency, or multinational headquarters. The headquarters is staffed and optimized to conduct combined arms operations integrating a wide range of maneuver support-related technical branches and combat forces. The MEB may include a mix of engineer, military police, CBRN, civil affairs (CA), and a tactical combat force (TCF). The number and type of organizations that are task-organized to a MEB are driven by mission requirements. (The primary reference for the MEB is FM 3-81, dated April 2014.)
The MEB is designed to provide mission command of forces from multiple branches, but especially those that conduct support area and maneuver support operations for the force. It employs them to conduct decisive action in support of Army division; EAD; and joint, interagency, or multinational headquarters. More than one MEB may be assigned to a higher headquarters.

The critical missions or key tasks of MEBs include maneuver support, consequence management, stability, and support area operations. A common thread among each of these missions is the obvious capability requirements of the MANSCEN proponents—chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN); engineer; and military police.
The MEB conducts operations to shape the operational environment and mitigate its effects on friendly operations. The MEB can simultaneously support (complement or reinforce) offense, defense, stability, and DSCA in support of a higher echelon or focus on a single task during a phase of a larger operation or within a specific. The capability to synchronize support area operations and maneuver support operations under the MEB has the capabilities to synchronize to other Army, joint, and multinational elements. The MEB can enable the decisive operation or lead shaping or sustaining operations with a focus on general engineering. In special situations, the MEB may conduct the decisive operation.
The MEB is not a maneuver brigade; however, it is normally assigned an AO and controls terrain. This capability makes the MEB the best organization in the Army to perform support area operations for the division and corps. The MEB capability to conduct support area operations in the assigned echelon support area provides added security and defense for other units and enhances the freedom of mobility for the supported echelon.
Primary and Subordinate Tasks
The MEB primary tasks can be performed individually or simultaneously. The primary tasks include the following:
• Conduct Support Area Operations, including terrain management, information collection, CA operations, air and ground movement control, clearance of fires. protection (including personnel recovery, coordination of base camp/base cluster defense, and response force operations), liaison. operational area security. and area damage control.
• Conduct Maneuver Support Operations, including mobility. protection. and sustainment.
• Conduct Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA), including support to domestic disasters, domestic CBRN incidents, domestic civilian law enforcement agencies, and other support as required.
• Conduct Stability, including civil security (including security force assistance), and civil control, essential services restoration. governance support, and economic and infrastructure development support.
Related SMARTbooks
The following SMARTbooks provide key doctrinal references and discussion in support of the MEB mission and primary/subordinate tasks:
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