How to make Assignee Optional in Jira v5.1.2

[James Whitt]

I'm on Jira v5.1.2 and the task I'm trying to complete is:

"As a Project Lead, when I create a ticket, the Assignee field is not required (optional)"

Now I followed the steps in the knowledge management about going through the Field Configurations and modifying it there. Almost all the fields in there under "Operations" have the "Required" or "Optional" link. The problem is, Assignee does not have that choice. In fact, the only links for Assignee under Operations is: "Edit", "Hide", "Screens".

How do I make it optional when there is no optional link?

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist- · Accepted solution]

Have you enabled "allow unassigned" in the general configuration?

[Sorin Sbarnea (Citrix)]

I have the same problem, but in my case the option to allow Unassigned issues is enabled, was always enabled.

[Jo-Anne MacLeod]

do you "Unassigned issues" (system configuration). If you have that enabled, then you should be able to leave assignee blank and the issue will be unassigned.