Command hierarchy: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Group of people who carry out orders based on others authority within the group}}

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{{distinguish|Command responsibility|}}

{{Redirect|Chain of command|other uses|Chain of command (disambiguation)}}

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{{more citations needed|date=December 2009}}

{{History of war}}

A '''command hierarchy''' or '''chain of command''' is a group of people who carry out orders based on others' [[authority]] within the group.<ref>{{Cite webCertain |title=Whataspects Isof a Chaincommand hierarchy tend to be similar, including [[rank]], [[unity of command]], and strict [[accountability]]. Command? (Definitionhierarchies are used in the military and Explanation)other |url=https://wwworganizations.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/chain-of-command |access-date=2022-05-18[[Systemic |website=Indeedbias]]es Careermay Guidearise |language=en}}</ref>in homogenous groups of command.

== Description ==

==Military chain of command==

Within a group of people, a command hierarchy defines who carry out orders based on group members' [[authority]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=What Is a Chain of Command? (Definition and Explanation) |url=https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/chain-of-command |access-date=2022-05-18 |website=Indeed Career Guide |language=en}}</ref> In [[sociology]], command hierarchy is seen as the most visible element of a "[[power (social and political)|power]] network".{{Citation needed|date = January 2016}} In this model, [[social capital]] is viewed as being mobilized in response to orders that move through the hierarchy leading to the phrase "command and control".<ref>{{cite web |title=The Brigade Engineer Battalion |url=http://usacac.army.mil/sites/default/files/publications/15-12_0.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905204126/http://usacac.army.mil/sites/default/files/publications/15-12_0.pdf |archive-date=5 September 2015 |website=usacac.army.mil}}</ref>

===Features===

Regardless of the degree of control or results achieved, and regardless of how the hierarchy is justified and rationalized, certain aspects of a command hierarchy tend to be similar:{{Citation needed|date = June 2025}}

* [[rank]] – especially [[military rank]] – "who outranks whom" in the [[power structure]]

* [[unity of command]] – each member of the hierarchy has one and only one superior, precluding the possibility of contradictory orders

* strict [[accountability]] – those who issue orders are responsible for the consequences, not those who carry them out (with the exception of illegal orders, as previously noted)

* strict [[feedback]] rules – complaints go up the hierarchy to those with power to deal with them, not down to those who do not have that power

* detailed rules for [[decision making]] – what criteria apply and when

* standardized language and [[terminology]]

* some [[ethics]] and key beliefs in common, usually enforced as early as recruiting and screening of recruits

== Examples ==

=== Military chain of command ===

{{Military ranks}}

{{Military units}}

In a [[military]] context, the '''chain of command''' is the line of authority and responsibility along which orders are passed within a [[military unit]] and between different units. In simpler terms, the chain of command is the succession of leaders through which command is exercised and executed. Orders are transmitted down the chain of command, from a responsible superior, such as a [[commissioned officer]], to lower-ranked subordinate(s) who either execute the order personally or transmit it down the chain as appropriate, until it is received by those expected to execute it. "Command is exercised by virtue of office and the special assignment of members of the Armed Forces holding military rank who are eligible to exercise command."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.whs.mil/library/mildoc/AR%20600-20,%2020%20August%201986.pdf|title=Army Regulation 600-20 20AUG86|access-date=2018-01-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117131928/http://www.whs.mil/library/mildoc/AR%20600-20,%2020%20August%201986.pdf|archive-date=2018-01-17|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In general, military personnel give orders only to those directly below them in the chain of command and receive orders only from those directly above them. A service member who has difficulty executing a duty or order and appeals for relief directly to an officer above his immediate commander in the chain of command is likely to be disciplined for not respecting the chain of command. Similarly, an officer is usually expected to give orders only to his or her direct subordinate(s), even if only to pass an order down to another service member lower in the chain of command than said subordinate.

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In addition, within [[combat]] units, [[line officer]]s are in the chain of command, but staff officers in specialist fields (such as medical, dental, legal, supply, and [[chaplain]]) are not, except within their own specialty. For example, a medical officer in an [[infantry]] [[battalion]] would be responsible for the [[combat medics]] in that unit but would not be eligible to command the battalion or any of its subordinate units.

=== Command hierarchy in other organizations ===

The term ''chain of command'' is also used in a [[civilian]] [[management]] context describing comparable [[hierarchical]] structures of authority. Such structures are included in Fire Departments, Police Departments, and other organizations that have a paramilitary command or power structure.

Companies and non-military organizations often have command lead by [[Business executive|executives]] and [[upper management]], with lesser authority delegated to employees in the lower ranks.<ref name=":0" />

==Sociology==

In [[sociology]], command hierarchy is seen as the most visible element of a "power network."{{Citation needed|date = January 2016}} In this model, [[social capital]] is viewed as being mobilized in response to orders that move through the hierarchy leading to the phrase "command and control".<ref>[http://usacac.army.mil/sites/default/files/publications/15-12_0.pdf usacac.army.mil]</ref>

===Features===

Regardless of the degree of control or results achieved, and regardless of how the hierarchy is justified and rationalized, certain aspects of a command hierarchy tend to be similar:

* rank – especially [[military rank]] – "who outranks whom" in the [[power structure]]

* unity of command – each member of the hierarchy has one and only one superior, precluding the possibility of contradictory orders

* strict [[accountability]] – those who issue orders are responsible for the consequences, not those who carry them out (with the exception of illegal orders, as previously noted)

* strict [[feedback]] rules – complaints go up the hierarchy to those with power to deal with them, not down to those who do not have that power

* detailed rules for [[decision making]] – what criteria apply and when

* standardized language and terminology

* some [[ethics]] and key beliefs in common, usually enforced as early as recruiting and screening of recruits

===Problems===

However, people of such compatible views often have similar [[systemic bias]]es because they are from the same culture. Such problems as [[groupthink]] or willingness to accept one standard of evidence internal to the group, but require drastically higher evidence from outside, are common.

In part to address these problems, much modern [[management science]] has focused on reducing reliance on command hierarchy especially for [[information flow]], since the cost of communications is now low, and the cost of management mistakes is higher. It is also easier to replace [[Management|managers]], so they have a personal interest in more distributed responsibility and perhaps more [[consensus decision making]].

Ubiquitous command and control posits for military organizations, a generalisation from hierarchies to networks that allows for the use of hierarchies when they are appropriate, and non-hierarchical networks when they are inappropriate. This includes the notion of ''mission agreement'', to support "edge in" as well as "top-down" flow of intent.

==See also==

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{{Reflist}}

{{Military units}}

{{Authority control}}