The Officer in Charge (OIC) is the individual ultimately responsible for the overall conduct of an exercise, including adherence to safety regulations. This role encompasses a broad range of responsibilities, including planning, executing, and evaluating the exercise while ensuring that all safety protocols are strictly followed. The OIC must ensure that all staff, including the Range Safety Officers (RSOs), are effectively implementing safety measures and that any potential risks are managed appropriately throughout the exercise.
Though other roles like the RSO, which focuses specifically on safety oversight, and the LRSO and RCO, which may have specific duties related to logistics and coordination, the OIC bears the overarching responsibility for the entirety of the operation. The OIC's leadership is crucial in creating a culture of safety and compliance during all aspects of training and exercises, which is why this role is critical in ensuring that safety regulations are properly enforced.