Exploring Force Element Maintenance Scenarios

Objectives

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

Explain how to create Force Elements and substructures by copying.
Explain how to repurpose a Force Element by changing its characteristics accordingly.

Creation of Force Elements and Substructures

Introduction

In this lesson, we will copy a substructure of existing Force Elements into a newly created header. We will then re-purpose an existing Force Element and change its characteristics, sensitivity, and authorized material assignment accordingly.

Scenario

As an Organizational Planner, you would like to create a new company, which is very similar to an existing one in the active structure. You decide to copy the Delta company to the Charlie company, and then perform the necessary adjustments.

Screenshot of the SAP Fiori Force Generation page with the ‘Manage Force Elements’ tile highlighted among other tiles for managing reference elements, positions, background copies and PPF actions.

The SAP S/4HANA Defense and Security (D&S) solution utilizes SAP Fiori Launchpad, as its central hub for navigation through the D&S Native apps.

Note

Ensure you are launching the correct app or variant. Sometimes, variants can look very similar to each other.

Graphic showing the force‑element search for ‘1RAR’ and the resulting hierarchy list, highlighting AUS Delta Company as a selectable force element.

The source company is subordinate to the 1st RAR, so you start by searching this superior Force Element. Now, navigate in the hierarchy to find the subordinate source company.

Diagram showing the force‑element overview for AUS Delta Company, including its ID, validity dates, active status and the description section indicating no text maintained yet.

When you have selected the desired Force Element, you must ensure you are viewing the details screen. The next step is only possible from this screen. It also provides an opportunity to confirm the FE is in its correct status and date range.

Graphic showing the force‑element options menu for AUS Delta Company, highlighting the available actions such as copying the force element, delimiting, deleting, creating positions, creating operations, creating exercises and generating MRP areas.

When all the information from the source FE is confirmed, you can proceed to copying. By selecting the Actions menu you will reveal a dropdown selection list; now, choose Copy to Force Element.

Diagram showing the rename dialog for copied force elements, with side‑by‑side fields for source and target abbreviations and names to ensure copies are clearly differentiated from the original force elements.

Military formations are often characterized by the presence of a number in the name (for example, 111th Tank Battalion). In those cases, it is imperative to change those numbers during the copying process to prevent confusion.

Screenshot of the Manage Force Elements screen showing the details of AUS Charlie Company, including its force‑element ID, abbreviation, validity dates, active status and the description section prepared for editing.

The company's symbol is changed subsequent to copying by changing the Branch in Characteristics facet.

The default status for any FE created is Planned. The process for submitting and consequently, approving is a business decision made by the customer. However, from a process perspective its as easy as choosing the respective button on the header level toolbar submit, approved, activate.

Change Characteristics

Diagram showing the Manage Force Elements screen for AUS Charlie Company with the Edit function highlighted, displaying force‑element identifiers, validity dates, active status and characteristic details.

The copied company is to be re-purposed into a field artillery battery. This requires editing the Characteristics to reflect the changes in Branch and Structure Type.

Graphic showing the characteristics section for AUS Charlie Company, including branch, branch addition, force element ID, organizational area, structure level, structure type and country with corresponding validity dates.

Depending on what field of the Characteristic attribute requires change, you need to select the Edit button, before making changes. Make the required changes and choose the Save button in the footer toolbar. For the purpose of this lesson, we are changing the structure type.

Structure‑type selection window showing available organizational levels, with the entry ‘Battery’ highlighted for assignment to the force element.

If required, change the Structure Type.

Screenshot of the Manage Force Elements screen showing the updated characteristics for AUS Charlie Company, including organizational area, structure level, structure type, country and validity information.

On completion of the desired restructuring, it is best practice to check the changes are executed and the details are correct. This is also relevant for any changes to existing items.

Next lesson