Who serves as the principal fire support advisor to the commander when attached to a company or troop?

The Company/Troop Fire Support Officer (FSO) serves as the principal fire support advisor to the commander when attached to a company or troop. This role is crucial as the FSO is responsible for coordinating all fire support planning and execution in support of the unit's operations. This includes integrating indirect fire support, identifying targets, and ensuring that the right kind of fire support is available to enhance the effectiveness of the company or troop in achieving its objectives.

The FSO’s position within the company or troop enables close collaboration with the unit’s leadership, allowing for immediate and tailored responses to the operational environment. This direct advisory relationship ensures that the commander has timely access to fire support capabilities, which can significantly influence the outcome of missions. The FSO's specific expertise in orchestrating fire support makes them invaluable to the operational effectiveness of the unit.

While Battalion/Squadron FSOs and FSNCOs have important roles at higher levels, their focus is on broader coordination and support across multiple companies or troops, rather than the immediate advisory role on the ground level that the Company/Troop FSO provides.