View source for Civil-military co-operation

{{Redirect|CIMIC|the civil engineering company|CIMIC Group}}
{{Hatnote|Compare [[civil-military coordination]] and [[civil-military operations]].}}
{{Distinguish|military-civil fusion}}
{{distinguish|military cooperative}}
{{Multiple issues|
 {{More footnotes needed|date=May 2014}}
 {{Editorial|date=August 2015}}
 {{Peacock|date=August 2015}}
}}
[[File:AgrCHARLIE KFOR P5250031.jpg|thumb|[[Portuguese Army]] soldiers in a CIMIC action in [[Pristina]], Kosovo.]]
'''[[Civil-Military Cooperation Centre of Excellence|Civil-Military Cooperation]]''' ('''CIMIC''') involves military [[Commander|commanders]] establishing connections with civilian agencies in [[Theater (warfare)|operational theaters]].<ref>Royal Air Force Common Core and Deployment Skills Aide-Memoire AP 3242B VOL 5, ABBREVIATIONS</ref>

CIMIC activities are coordinated through the "G9" staff branch in divisional or other headquarters. In larger joint [[headquarters]], this [[Department (administrative division)|department]] is designated as "J9."

==History==
The [[United States Army]] has maintained [[civil affairs]] units since [[World War II|WWII]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-10-29 |title=World War II: Summary, Combatants & Facts |url=https://www.history.com/articles/world-war-ii-history |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=HISTORY |language=en}}</ref> 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 most [[NATO]] members began developing their own CIMIC structures, which lead to the establishment of the [[Civil-Military Cooperation Centre of Excellence]] in [[The Hague]] in 2001.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Rollins |first=J.W. |date=March 2001 |title=Civil-military cooperation (CIMIC) in crisis response operations: The implications for NATO |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/13533310108413883 |journal=International Peacekeeping |volume=8 |issue=1 |pages=122–129 |doi=10.1080/13533310108413883 |issn=1353-3312|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Germany maintains [[Multinational CIMIC Command|its own centre]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Introduction: Interrogating civil–military cooperation |date=2007-10-04 |work=Civil-Military Cooperation in Post-Conflict Operations |pages=19–30 |url=https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203940600-7 |access-date=2025-07-28 |publisher=Routledge |doi=10.4324/9780203940600-7 |isbn=978-0-429-24159-8|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==Operations==
{{More citations needed|date=November 2025}}

In areas of operation, civilians such as [[private citizens]], [[non-governmental organizations]] (NGOs), and representatives of the [[local administration]] often interact with Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) personnel through designated **CIMIC Centres**. These centres serve as points of contact for civilians seeking assistance from military authorities on issues related to infrastructure, security, or humanitarian needs.<ref>{{cite web |title=NATO Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_69369.htm |publisher=[[NATO]] |access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=NATO CIMIC in Kosovo |url=https://www.atlantic-forum.com/atlantica/nato-civil-military-cooperation-cimic-in-kosovo |website=Atlantic Forum |access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref>

CIMIC functions are not limited to specialized structures or assigned personnel. Every [[soldier]] who interacts with civilians, intentionally or incidentally, can influence the effectiveness of the mission. For this reason, deployed troops are generally briefed on CIMIC principles, communication practices, and reporting procedures.<ref>{{cite web |title=NATO CIMIC Field Handbook |url=https://www.cimic-coe.org/products/cimic-handbook/ |publisher=NATO Civil-Military Cooperation Centre of Excellence |access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2.1 NATO CIMIC |url=https://www.cimic-coe.org/handbook-entries/welcome-to-the-cimic-handbook/ii-fundamentals/2-1-nato-cimic/ |publisher=CIMIC Centre of Excellence |access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref>

In post-conflict situations, CIMIC activities often involve cooperation with military engineering, medical, or veterinary units to support local recovery efforts. Typical projects include the restoration of water supply, sanitation facilities, health clinics, and essential infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and electricity networks.<ref>{{cite book |title=Peace Operations: Trends, Progress, and Prospects |editor=Paul F. Diehl |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |year=2014 |isbn=9780745684195}}</ref>

Language and cultural awareness are also key aspects of CIMIC operations. Basic greetings and local customs can help establish rapport with the population, while interpreters and locally employed civilians are often engaged to bridge cultural and linguistic gaps. Cultural training helps personnel avoid misunderstandings and fosters constructive relations with the host community.<ref>{{cite web |title=CIMIC and Cultural Awareness |url=https://www.cimic-coe.org/resources/cultural-awareness/ |publisher=NATO CIMIC Centre of Excellence |access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2.3 CIMIC Core Activities |url=https://www.cimic-coe.org/handbook-entries/welcome-to-the-cimic-handbook/ii-fundamentals/2-3-cimic-core-activities/ |publisher=CIMIC Centre of Excellence |access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref>

==Doctrine==
The key document explaining NATO CIMIC doctrine is Allied Joint Publication 9.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://csis.org/files/media/csis/pubs/090128_nato_civil_military_doctrine_and_ops.pdf |title=Nato And Allied Civil-Military Co-Operation Doctrine, Operations, & Organization Of Forces |author1=LtCol Robert R. Scott (USMC) |author2=Capt Jeffrey D. Maclay (USN) |author3=David Sokolow |format=463 Kb |date= |publisher=Center for Strategic and International Studies |accessdate=2014-05-12 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113815/http://csis.org/files/media/csis/pubs/090128_nato_civil_military_doctrine_and_ops.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> It outlines the three core functions of CIMIC:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mo.gov.si/fileadmin/mo.gov.si/cfs/CivMilCoop_ratification.pdf |title=Allied Joint Doctrine for Civil-Military Cooperation AJP-3.4.9 Edition A, Version 1 (Ratification Draft) – Chapter 2:CIMIC in Mission Theatres and Operations|pages=2-3 to 2-5 (29–31)|format=236 Kb |date=2013-02-08 |publisher=NATO |accessdate=2014-05-12}}</ref>
#'''Support to the Force:''' any activity designed to create support {{em|for}} the military force, {{em|from}} within the indigenous population.
#'''Civil-Military Liaison:''' coordination and joint planning {{em|with}} civilian agencies, in support of the military mission.
#'''Support to the Civil Environment:''' the provision of any of a variety of forms of assistance (expertise, information, security, infrastructure, capacity-building, etc.) {{em|to}} the local population, in support of the military mission.

Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) involves soldiers trained in engaging with civilians during operations. It is both a capability and a function. Soldiers receive CIMIC training, but many also perform CIMIC tasks as part of routine operations. CIMIC Operators provide expertise and advice to commanders on CIMIC matters, enhancing civilian-military interactions.

CIMIC functions as a [[force multiplier]]. For instance, by establishing connections with non-governmental organizations or local officials, CIMIC personnel might identify specific mission threats. This enables them to alert the commander, who can allocate resources to address the threat. This approach reduces the need for extensive patrols and optimizes soldier deployment.

==NATO CIMIC reporting==
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2015}}
There is a vital need for translating relevant information into CIMIC knowledge.

A NATO working group is working to address this issue by developing a CIMIC reporting system that facilitates information sharing across different levels, from tactical to strategic.

In current operations, CIMIC staffs handle extensive information. CECIL working group developed tools to enhance assessments, streamline information flow within CIMIC, and share pertinent info with the staff.

Efforts are needed to enhance collaboration between NATO and civilian partners in operations, with a particular focus on addressing challenges related to information sharing. The system has been tested and has also proven to be a useful tool to consolidate/collect data for the Afghan Country Stability Picture (ACSP).

The CECIL Working Group identified diverse CIMIC reporting formats, often due to the absence of standardized guidelines across different headquarters.

===Reporting history===
{{Overly detailed|section|date=August 2015}}
During the [[Partnership for Peace]] (PFP) Exercise VIKING '05, representatives from [[Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe|SHAPE]] and [[Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum|JFC Brunssum]] identified the need for improved CIMIC reporting. The ACOSs from ACO at SHAPE and NATO's operational headquarters (JFC Brunssum, [[Allied Joint Force Command Naples|JFC Naples]] and [[Allied Joint Force Command Lisbon|JC Lisbon]]) discussed the issue and established in May 2006 the CECIL Working Group (WG). The WG consists of CIMIC staff officers, one from SHAPE and three from the J(F)C HQs. In addition, subject matter experts can be called upon when needed. The WG meets every second month. A training-and-education Sub-WG was also formed to support the introduction of the CECIL system.

===Output of CECIL WG===
The working group developed a set of tools for CIMIC reporting, including a situation report, tracking system, and standardized commander's update.

The CIMIC reporting system has been utilized by ISAF CJ9 and JFC Brunssum J9 on a weekly basis since February 2007. It is being progressively introduced to regional commands. This subject was addressed in the new CIMIC staff officer's course at NATO [[NATO School|School]] in Oberammergau, Germany.

===Summary===
"This CECIL-tool is ideal for the CIMIC branches to manage their information which assists to stabilize the mission area. Information sharing through one database is essential for civilian and military partners."{{Cite quote|date=August 2015}} CECIL is designed to focus on the most important issues. The Afghan Country Stability Picture gives operators at all levels the relevant facts in an efficient and convenient package.

The output of the working group so far is quite promising. The working group will be mandated for another year to continue working on the new established CIMIC information-sharing platform.

==Additional information==
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2015}}

===CIMIC===
Civil-military cooperation (CIMIC) refers to the interaction between NATO-led forces and civil actors in alliance-led operations.

===Civil Military Overview / Civil Military Fusion Centre===
The Civil Military Overview (CMO) is an experimental portal supported by a dedicated information and knowledge management organization, the Civil Military Fusion Centre (CFC). Both are part of a development effort conducted by [[Allied Command Transformation|NATO Allied Command Transformation]] in consultation with various civil organizations. It is designed to improve interaction between civil and military actors. Through the CMO, NATO and its partners are exploring innovative ways to collect and disseminate all relevant civil and military information on Crisis Response Operations in order to begin creating a shared sense of situational awareness among the global community.

===CECIL===
The CECIL Working Group was formed to improve CIMIC reporting. CECIL (Coordinated, Effect Based, CIMIC Information Link) aims to assist NATO CIMIC staff with contemporary challenges. The platform enables sharing of CIMIC knowledge to aid staff at all levels.

===ACSP===
The Afghanistan Country Stability Picture (ACSP) project is an initiative led by NATO's [[International Security Assistance Force]] (ISAF) to develop and maintain a comprehensive geographic database of reconstruction and development activities across Afghanistan. ACSP holds information about different Afghan national development strategy sectors such as education, good governance, health, agriculture and rural development, infrastructure and natural resources, private sector development, security, and social protection. The data held in the ACSP comes from several sources: the Government of Afghanistan (GOA), [[Provincial Reconstruction Team]]s (PRT), and international, governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGO). 
To provide efficient access to the ACSP data, NATO C3 agency developed a [[web map service]]. The ACSP web site can be used to consult and query the ACSP database over the internet. NATO, NGOs and the GOA can use it for optimization and monitoring of reconstruction efforts.

==Abbreviations==
*ACOS: [[Assistant Chief of Staff Operations and Training|Assistant Chief of Staff]]
*ACSP: Afghan Country Stability Picture
*CIMIC: [[Civil-Military Cooperation Centre of Excellence|Civil Military Cooperation]]
*ISAF: International Security Assistance Force (Afghanistan)
*J9: CIMIC division in a Joint HQ
*JC: Joint Command
*JFC: Joint Force Command
*SHAPE: Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe

==See also==
*[[Civil-military operations]]
*[[Peace Support Training Centre]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110827042552/http://armyapp.forces.gc.ca/pstc-cfsp/cimic_op_e.asp Canadian CIMIC Operator Course Info]
*[http://www.cimic-coe.org CIMIC Centre of Excellence]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060209161448/http://ochaonline.un.org/webpage.asp?Page=665 Civil Military Coordination], the [[United Nations]]' civilian corollary to CIMIC
*[http://www.nato.int/ims/docu/AJP-9.pdf Allied Joint Publication 9]
*[https://archive.today/20130112184010/http://www.cimicweb.org/ CFC-CMO cimicweb]
*[http://www.cimicgroup.org/ Web page of Multinatinal CIMIC Group in Motta di Livenza (ITA)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081025080236/http://www.cimic.org.au/ Australasian Civil Military Network (ACMN)]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Civil-military co-operation}}
[[Category:Civil affairs]]
[[Category:Civil–military relations]]