Civil affairs officers assist the MAGTF commander to plan, coordinate, and conduct civil-military operations.
They help the commander to consider the civil implications of all MAGTF missions throughout the conduct of Marine Corps Planning Process. They act as an interface between the MAGTF commander and a wide variety of civilian populations, agencies, and organizations. They provide cultural and regional expertise to the commander and assist in training and preparing the MAGTF for civil-military operations.