Which functional area establishes personnel and manpower policy and guidance for the total force?

The establishment of personnel and manpower policy and guidance for the total force falls under the jurisdiction of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel. This functional area is responsible for developing policies that ensure effective management of human resources within the military, addressing critical issues such as personnel readiness, development, and management systems.

The Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel plays a pivotal role in shaping how personnel are recruited, managed, and retained, ensuring that the right number of qualified individuals is available to meet the operational needs of the military. They provide guidance that affects all levels of personnel management across the armed forces, thus influencing the overall effectiveness and capability of the total force.

While the other choices involve various operational aspects of military functions, they do not specifically focus on the establishment of personnel policies. The Air Force Operations Center is focused on command and control operations rather than personnel matters. Major Command Headquarters has a broader operational scope, often dealing with regional or mission-specific issues but not singularly responsible for manpower policy. The Logistics Support Division is primarily concerned with logistical functions rather than personnel and manpower management.