What are the differences between operating forces and the generating force?
The generating force consists of those Army organizations whose primary mission is to generate and sustain the operational Army’s capabilities for employment by Joint Force commanders. As a consequence of its performance of functions specified and implied by law, the generating force also possesses operationally useful capabilities for employment by or in direct support of Joint Force commanders. The generating force provides these capabilities either remotely through reach back or directly within the area of operations. These contributions include functions such as training, equipping, construction and maintenance, and are embodied in activities such as communications, engineering, and installations support. On the other hand, operating forces are those forces whose primary missions are to participate in combat and the integral supporting elements thereof. Such forces are allocated among combat forces; combat service support elements; combat support elements.
