b. Signal Support at EAC.
(1) Signal support at EAC consists of the five disciplines of the Information Mission
Area (IMA). The five disciplines are communications, automation, visual information, records
management, and printing and publications.
(a) Communications is any transmission, emission or reception of signs, writings,
images and sounds, or information of any nature by wire, radio, visual or other electromagnetic
systems.
(b) Automation is the conversion of a procedure, a process, or equipment to
automatic operations. The technologies of automation include micrographics, word processing,
copiers, telecommunications, printing, general purpose data processing, and electronic records
systems in either tactical or nontactical environments.
(c) Visual information is the use of visual or sound material or processes to
communicate information. Visual information functions include, but are not limited to, motion
pictures, still photography, combat camera, television, audio, graphic arts/illustrations,
audiovisual libraries, interactive video disc, and electro-optical storage, retrieval, and display
systems.
(d) Records management is the management of correspondence, reports, forms,
directives, publications, official mail (may include electronic mail), and distribution. It includes
the maintenance, use and disposition of recorded information, classification declassification of
recorded information, and the implementation of responsibilities under the freedom of
information and privacy acts. Records management functions performed in a tactical
environment are known as battlefield information services (BIS).
(e) Printing and publication is the process of information composition and
representation on media. It includes photocomposition and binding for issue and distribution of
information products. Printing and publication functions performed in a tactical environment are
also known as BIS.
(2) At theater army level through division, the office responsible for managing and
coordinating BIS is the information services support office (ISSO). The ISSO has staff
supervision responsibility for all BIS, to include recommending policy, procedures, standards,
and conventions to facilitate information services support. The ISSO is a subordinate staff
element of the TSC(A) HQ (Figure 3-3, page 3-6). The S1 accomplishes the ISSO function at
battalion and brigade level. The signal officer is the proponent for information services on the
staff at support units with no organic supporting signal unit (such as a corps support command
(COSCOM) or theater army area command (TAACOM)). The functional staff remains
responsible for its execution.
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