The 353rd Civil Affairs Command organizes, trains, and equips assigned Civil Affairs forces to mobilize, deploy, and conduct civil military operations. On order, the 353rd Civil Affairs Command organizes, trains, and equips assigned Civil Affairs forces to mobilize, deploy, conduct civil military operations, and redeploy in order to support Geographic Combatant Commander mission requirements with focus on the US Africa and US European Command areas of responsibility.
History Civil Affairs History The first Civil Affairs units in the U.S. Army were formed during World War II. Additional units saw service in subsequent conflicts. Civil Affairs/Military Government was established as an Army Reserve Branch on 17 August 1955. Subsequently, redesignated as the Civil Affairs Branch on 2 October 1959, its members continued its mission to provide guidance to commanders on a broad spectrum of civil affairs activities. The expansion of Civil Affairs in the Regular Army led to Civil Affairs beings established as a basic branch of the Army effective 16 October 2006 by Department of the Army General Orders (AGO) No. 29, 12 January 2007.
353rd CACOM history The 353d was created in New York, N.Y. as the 353d Military Government Area A Headquarters on July 14, 1952. The third commander of the unit was Colonel Frank E. Toscani, a civil affairs officer who was the inspiration for John Hersey's 1944 Novel, "A Bell for Adano."
COL Toscani is quoted in comprehensive volume “Civil Affairs Soldiers Become Governors”[Memo, Frank E. Toscani, Sr SO, AMG Fifth Army, for ExecO, AMG Fifth Arm,, 26 Mar 45, ACC files, 10700/ 154/1]
Experience has shown that in the initial stages of the landing at Salerno/Paestum, civilian food supplies were not properly phased and did not arrive on time. Since then, we have organized a system of supplies which has worked with marked success to the extent that communes were supplied within 48 hours after liberation during the offensive of the 5th Army of May–September 1944.
A small piece of the memo but one can see that a primary concern of the Civil Affairs Soldier is the wellbeing of the civilian population. One of the most basic units of human need is food. CA Soldiers past and present can be the vital link needed to provide a population with immediate calories and the tools/venue for a population to regain the ability sustain itself after/during conflict.
In 1968, the 353d relocated from Manhattan's West Side to the Patterson USAR Center in the Bronx. Seven years later, the 353d was designed as a civil affairs command. During the 1970s, the 353d shifted its focus from local community and civic activities to an international role. This role included command of several units of other branches, and the mission of housing and relocating 20,000 Cuban refugees from the Mariel boatlift in 1980. The 353d gained in prestige, becoming a leader in the civil affairs community. This period culminated in the development of memoranda of understanding and, in 1981, capstone assignments to Headquarters, U.S. Army Europe (USAEUR) for a civil military cooperation (CIMIC) mission and assignment of CIMIC teams to USAREUR's major subordinate commands.
In 1984, the 353d's role grew again. This time it incorporated CA/CIMIC staff assistance to Headquarters, U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) in West Germany and the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force (USASETAF) in Vicenza, Italy. In major CIMIC exercises, the 353d fielded up to 450 CA operators in Europe. In December 1989, as directed by the newly formed United States Army Reserve Special Operations Command (USARSOC), Fort Bragg, N.C., the 353d deployed two dozen Soldiers to participate in Operation Just Cause in Panama. Within a year, USARSOC was designated as the United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) [USACAPOC(A)], as headquartered at Fort Bragg.
Starting in June 1999, 353d Soldier took part in Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo. The deployment followed the signing of the Military Technical Agreement (MTA) by NATO. Their mission was to conduct civil military operations in Kosovo in support of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244.
Early in the new millennium, the 353d supported a variety of exercises in Eastern Europe and Africa. The unit took part in Operations Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The 353d was activated for OIF-II and assumed command of its subordinate units in Iraq upon arrival. In 2006, civil affairs units were reassigned from USSOCOM to United States Forces Command (JFCOM), then further assigned to the United States Army Reserve Command (USARC).
The command historically supported military operations in Africa, Afghanistan and Europe.
The command has pivoted its focus to Europe as of 2021.
Organization The command is a subordinate unit of the Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne). As of January 2026 the command consists of the following units:
353rd Civil Affairs Command, in Fort Wadsworth (NY) Headquarters and Headquarters Company, at Fort Wadsworth (NY) 2nd Psychological Operations Group, at Twinsburg (OH) Headquarters and Headquarters Company, at Twinsburg (OH) 11th Psychological Operations Battalion, in Upper Marlboro (MD) 13th Psychological Operations Battalion, in Arden Hills (MN) 15th Psychological Operations Battalion (Airborne), in Cincinnati (OH) 16th Psychological Operations Battalion, in Lake Forest (IL) 326th Psychological Operations Company (Strategic Dissemination), at Fort Gillem (GA) 304th Civil Affairs Brigade, in Bristol (PA) Headquarters and Headquarters Company, at Bristol (PA) 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion, in Mattydale (NY) 411th Civil Affairs Battalion, in Danbury (CT) 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion, at Naval Station Newport (RI) 486th Civil Affairs Battalion, in Tulsa (OK) 308th Civil Affairs Brigade, in Homewood (IL) Headquarters and Headquarters Company, at Homewood (IL) 407th Civil Affairs Battalion, in Arden Hills (MN) 415th Civil Affairs Battalion, in Kalamazoo (MI) 418th Civil Affairs Battalion, in Belton (MO) 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion, in Green Bay (WI)
Former Subordinate units 404th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne)—Fort Dix, New Jersey—Realigned to the 360th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne) on 1 October 2021
Insignia
Description/Blazon A gold color metal and enamel device in height overall consisting of a gold rolled scroll tied with a purple sealed ribbon, the scroll inclined to the upper left and the base conjoined with the point of a gold sword inclined with hilt in upper right, all in front of and flanking a gold symbol of man with outstretched arms touching the scroll and sword, and all upon the upper section of a white globe with gold grid lines, between a three-tongued red flame on each side and in front of gold rays throughout; all within a purple scroll inscribed "ORDER" at the top, looped in back of the top of the scroll and sword hilt and inscribed "GOVERNMENT FREEDOM" at the sides and base in gold letters.
Symbolism Purple and white are colors used for Civil Affairs. The stylized figure denotes the human factors which are essential elements of Civil Affairs operations. The sealed scroll represents the establishment of order through law and together with the rays of light signifies government with freedom. The enflamed globe and sword allude to the aftermath of battle and also connote the military - political capabilities of the organization.
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia The shoulder sleeve insignia was approved on 10 Feb 1977. The quill, sword and civic crown are symbolic of planning, training and readiness requisite to the United States Army's conduct of civic affairs and military government operations in countries in which United States Armed Forces are or may employed. The torch alludes to guidance and the vertical rises or steps simulate the silhouette of the Manhattan skyline adjoining the home area and location of the organization. The 353rd Civil Affairs Command is based at Ft. Wadsworth, Staten Island, New York. Prior to that, it was headquartered in the Bronx, NY.
Background The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for 353d Civil Affairs Area (A) on 27 May 1970. It was redesignated for the 353d Civil Affairs Command on 9 December 1976.
Previous Commanders Colonel Robert H. Arnold 1952-1953 Colonel Clifton A. Burriss 1953-1960 Colonel Frank E. Toscani 1960-1966 Brigadier General Leo A. Santini* 1966-1972 Brigadier General Pellegrino Bavetta 1972-1977 Brigadier General James P. Harley 1977-1981 Brigadier General Harry J. Mott III 1981-1983 Brigadier General George E. Barker 1983-1984 Brigadier General Michael A. Boyd 1985-1989 Brigadier General Donald F. Campbell 1989-1993 Brigadier General Thomas J. Matthews 1993-1997 Brigadier General Sam E. Gibson 1997-2001 Brigadier General Paulette M. Risher 2001-2002 Brigadier General Steven J. Hashem 2002-2005 Brigadier General Guy L. Sands-Pingot 2005-2008 Brigadier General William J. Gothard 2008-2010 Brigadier General Hugh C. Van Roosen II 2010-2012 Brigadier General Daniel R. Ammerman 2012-2015 Brigadier General Glenn A. Goddard 2014-2017 Brigadier General Robert S. Cooley Jr. 2017-2020 Brigadier General Timothy E. Brennan 2020–2022 Brigadier General Dean P. Thompson 2022–2024 BIO Colonel Clifton Kyle (Acting Commander) 2024
353d Civil Affairs Command European Mission On 1 October 2021 353d Civil Affairs Command pivoted its focus to Europe. In order to meet current and future operational demands, the 353d Civil Affairs Command transitions its U.S. Africa Command civil affairs support and command relationship responsibilities to the 352d CACOM. Allowing the 353d to concentrate its two brigades on civil affairs operations and civil affairs activities in the U.S. European Command area of operations.
“Change is good and necessary to maintain relevancy into an ever-changing future,” said Brig. Gen. Timothy Brennan, the Commanding General of the 353d CACOM. “The 353d will focus the entirety of the command on the European area of responsibility.” "By aligning our resources and our geographic focus on priority areas, we (USACAPOC(A)) can provide better support to our mission partners,” Brennan added.
In addition to this realignment, the 353d CACOM transfers the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) to the 352d CACOM and assumes the 486th Civil Affairs Battalion from the 350th CACOM.
The 404th CA BN (A) a storied civil affairs unit has long served under 353d CACOM within the 304th Civil Affairs Brigade. The 486th CA BN, headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, will now be part of the 353d CACOM team.
“We wish the 404th the best of luck and welcome the 486th to the team,” Brennan said. "The 404th has a remarkable history and lineage. It has been a unit within the Army since 1948 and with the 353d since the early 1970s.”
While the 353d CACOM previously focused its efforts on missions with AFRICOM and EUCOM, the shift will help to further strengthen relationships in countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, and more.
“The 353d CACOM Soldiers will be able to focus on Europe, providing an opportunity to build relations and gain a better understanding of the European theater,” Lt. Col. J. Zeke Pittard, Deputy, G-3, 353d CACOM added. “It’s an opportunity to build enduring relationships with our supported commands at every level, as well as with our allies and partners in Europe.”
COVID-19
Civil Affairs is a unique military function that allows Soldiers to engage in rewarding and vital work. In response to COVID-19 soldiers from the 353rd CACOM provide humanitarian aid in Poland.