G9 Branch

During low intensity operations as well as during war fighting, G9 Branch or CIMIC permanently monitors and assesses the civilian environment in order to advise the Commanding General and his staff about impact that the ongoing operation has on the civilian environment.

Firstly, G9 establishes and maintains contacts with the civilian authorities of the host nation, the international and non-governmental organisations and with all other stakeholders acting in the area of operation including the most important one: the population.

Secondly G9 supports the Force by promoting the mandate of the operation and explaining to the people in the street the reasons of the operations. CIMIC tries to have the mandated force accepted by all actors and plays an active role as a mediator, trying to promote a better understanding of each other.

Finally, using its ability to make accurate assessments, G9 plays a very important role as a catalyst and coordinator of civil-military issues. Together with the authorities, the international community and the available military expertise of other branches, G9 coordinates and facilitates all efforts to assist and to help the host nation and population according to the resources available and the needs that arise.

For example, G9 could - within the means and capabilities of our own forces - request from G4 logistic and medical assets for refugees or displaced persons, seek engineer expertise on mines (de-mining, mine awareness) or request the execution of projects like repairing buildings, restoring electricity, water supply and so on. G8 helps G9 out in negotiating contracts, and the legal advisers also lend a hand by solving problems G9 might face.

In order to fulfil their diverse tasks during operations, G9 is organised in three sections in peacetime (operation, plans/assessment and liaison).

Even in peacetime, it is of utmost importance for the eight officers and four non-commissioned officers to establish contacts with other CIMIC units at NATO or national level and with members of international and non-governmental organisations.

G9 is a branch with a strong multinational identity: besides the Belgian, French, German and Spanish personnel there are an Austrian and a Greek officer.