4-94. Commanders clearly define responsibilities for the security of units within the support area. This requires assigning an individual responsibility for defensive planning and risk mitigation in that support area. That individual can designate the commanders of tenant units within support areas as base and base cluster commanders (except medical corps officers). Base and base cluster commanders are responsible for the local security of their respective bases and base clusters. A commander responsible for a support area can also designate protection standards and defensive readiness conditions for tenant units and units transiting the area. Higher protection standards may impact the ability of those supporting sustainment units to accomplish their primary missions to support the operations of maneuver and other forces. The support area commander coordinates to mitigate the effects of performing security operations on the primary functions of units located within an echelon support area. (There are two approaches for arraying base camps: dispersed and consolidated. See ATP 3-37.10 for the strengths and weaknesses of each approach.)