Command hierarchy: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:21, 12 August 2019

Revision as of 12:26, 13 October 2019

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==Chain of command==

{{Military ranks}}

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. 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|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</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.