2-72. Interorganizational coordination is the coordination that occurs between elements of DOD and U.S. government agencies for the purpose of achieving an objective. It is an essential characteristic of unified action. The Secretary of Defense may determine that it is in the national interest to task U.S. military forces with missions that bring them into close contact with (if not in support of) intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and NGOs. In such circumstances, it is mutually beneficial to closely coordinate the activities of all participants.