The 4th Military Information Support Group (MISG) remains the active Army's only military information support operations unit.
The ranks of the 4th MISG include regional experts and linguists who understand political, cultural, ethnic and religious subtleties. With functional experts in all aspects of tactical communications, the 4th MISG offers joint force commanders unmatched abilities to influence target audiences as well as support U.S. diplomacy.
Military information support operations are a vital part of the broad range of U.S. political, military, economic and ideological activities used by the U.S. government to secure national objectives. MISO is the dissemination of information to foreign audiences in support of U.S. policy and national objectives.
Used during peacetime, contingencies and declared war, these activities are not forms of force, but they are force multipliers that use nonviolent means in often violent environments. Persuading rather than compelling physically, they rely on logic, fear, desire or other mental factors to promote specific emotions, attitudes or behaviors.
The ultimate objective of U.S. military information support operations is to convince enemy, neutral and friendly nations and forces to take action favorable to the United States and its allies.
Military information support operations support national security objectives at the tactical, operational and strategic levels of operations.
Tactical and theater-level MISO may be used to enhance peacetime military activities of conventional and special operations forces operating in foreign countries. Cultural awareness packages attune U.S. forces before departing overseas.
In theater, media programs publicize the positive aspects of combined military exercises and deployments.
In addition to supporting commanders, MISO units provide interagency support to other U.S. government agencies. In operations ranging from humanitarian assistance to drug interdiction, military information support operations enhance the impact of those agencies' actions.
Their activities can be used to spread information about ongoing programs and to gain support from the local populace.
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