Which FIST employment option keeps FIST assets at the company or troop level?

The employment option that ensures FIST assets remain at the company or troop level is the Company or Troop FIST. This structure designates that fire support capabilities are directly integrated within the company or troop structure, allowing for immediate and effective coordination with ground units during operations.

By maintaining FIST assets at this level, the fire support team can provide timely and responsive fire support, enhancing the unit's effectiveness in close combat situations. The Company or Troop FIST is closely linked with the maneuvering elements it supports, ensuring that fire support is aligned with the tactical needs and objectives of the company or troop.

In contrast, the Battalion Fire Support Team integrates at a higher echelon, which can complicate response times due to additional layers of command and communication. A Platoon Forward Observer typically operates within a smaller unit context and may not represent the full capabilities of a FIST. Meanwhile, a Consolidated FIST involves combining assets at a level higher than the company or troop, potentially diluting the immediate support available to frontline units. Thus, the Company or Troop FIST is the optimal choice for keeping fire support capabilities at the company or troop level.