This command diagram highlights the "big picture" of the National Military Command Structure.
Notice that the operational chain of command runs directly from the President to the SecDef and
then to the Unified or CCDRs. This is a clear and unambiguous line of authority. A goal of
Goldwater-Nichols was to "strengthen civilian authority in DoD" and to "place clear
responsibility on the commanders of unified and specified commands for the accomplishment of
missions assigned and ensure that the authority of those commanders is commensurate with that
responsibility...”
Note once again, that the CJCS and JCS are not in the operational chain of command. The CJCS
provides advice and enhances communication. The Service Chiefs are also clearly not in the
operational chain of command between the President, the SecDef, and the CCDRs. Power shifted
from the Service Chiefs to the CCDRs as a result of the Goldwater-Nichols Act.
The non-operational chain of command runs from the President, through the SecDef, to the Secretaries
of the Military Departments. Then, to the degree established by the Secretaries or specified in law, this
authority runs through the Service Chiefs to the Service Component Commanders assigned to the CCDRs
and to the commanders of forces not assigned to the CCDRs.
Services are directed to assign the majority of their forces to the Unified or COCOMs in the Global Force
Management Implementation Guidance (GFMIG). Administrative control (ADCON) provides for the
preparation of military forces and their administration and support.
The Secretaries of the Military Departments are responsible for the administration and support of
Service forces. They fulfill their responsibilities by exercising ADCON through the Service Component
Commanders assigned to COCOMs and through the Service Chiefs (as determined by the Secretaries) for
forces not assigned to the COCOMs such as admin, training, and recruiting units. The responsibilities and
authority exercised by the Secretaries of the Military Departments are subject by law to the authority
provided to the CCDRs in their exercise of COCOM (Command Authority).
Commanders of forces are responsible to their respective Service Chiefs for the administration, training,
and readiness of their unit(s).
Commanders of forces assigned to the COCOMs are under the authority, direction, and control of (and
are responsible to) their CCDR to carry out assigned operational missions, joint training and exercises,
and logistics.
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is a military Service and a branch of the Armed Forces of the
United States (U.S.) at all times. However, it is established separately by law as a Service in the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), except when transferred to the Department of the Navy (DON)
during time of war, or when the President so directs
,The JCS is comprised of the:
CJCS
Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (VCJCS)
Chief of Staff, U.S. Army
Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force
Commandant of the Marine Corps, and
Chief of the National Guard Bureau
Please click the Resources button at the bottom of your screen to view the organizational
structure of the JCS.
Select each image to learn more about the functions of the CJCS and the duties of the JCS.
Military Departments have administrative and support responsibilities.
Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the SecDef and subject to the provisions of
Title 10, U.S. Code (USC), the Army, Navy, and Air Force, under their respective Secretaries,
are responsible for the functions shown. The Military Services and the United States Special
Operations Command (USSOCOM) in areas unique to special operations, share the division of
responsibility for developing military capabilities for the COCOMs.
USSOCOM is unique among the COCOMs in that it performs certain Service-like functions.
For more information on the Military Departments, see Department of Defense Directive
(DoDD) 5100.1, Functions of the DoD and Its Major Components, which can be accessed from
the Resources link at the bottom of your screen.
The President, through the SecDef and with the advice and assistance of the CJCS, establishes
combatant (unified) commands for the performance of military missions and prescribes the force
structure of such commands.
Geographic combatant commanders (GCCs) are assigned a geographic area of responsibility
(AOR) by the President with the advice of the SecDef as specified in the Unified Command Plan
(UCP). Functional combatant commanders (functionals) have transregional responsibilities. The
functionals support GCCs, conduct operations in direct support of the President or the SecDef
normally in coordination with the GCC in whose AOR the operation will be conducted, and may
be designated by the SecDef as the supported CCDR for an operation. The common functions of
a CCDR are shown in the image.
For more information on CCDR assigned responsibilities, refer to the UCP or Joint Pub 1, which
can be accessed from the Resources link at the bottom of your screen.
A combatant command (COCOM) is a unified or specified command with a broad continuing
mission. It operates under a single commander who is established and designated by the
,President, through the Secretary of Defense (SecDef), and with the advice and assistance of the
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs (CJCS).
This image represents a typical chain of command.
Click each button to learn more about the COCOM.
[Unified Command]
A unified command typically is established when a broad continuing mission under a single
commander exists. A unified command is composed of significant assigned components of two
or more Military Departments.
[Specified Command]
A specified combatant command typically is composed of forces from a single Military
Department that has a broad, continuing mission and is normally functional.
[Unified Command Plan (UCP)]
The Unified Command Plan (UCP) defines geographic Areas of Responsibility (AOR) for
selected combatant commands, including all associated land, water areas, and airspace.
Additional criteria defining the UCP are shown here.
[Combatant Commanders (CCDR)]
The Combatant Commanders (CCDRs) exercise Combatant Command (COCOM) of assigned
forces. They are directly responsible to the President and SecDef for the performance of assigned
missions and the preparedness of their commands. Additional information about the role of the
CCDR is shown.
Unified Command Plan (UCP) 2011 was signed by President Obama on 6 April 2011. It assigns
several new missions to the COCOMs.
Every two years, the CJCS is required to review the missions, responsibilities, and geographical
boundaries of each COCOM. The CJCS then recommends to the President, through the SecDef,
any changes that may be necessary. As in past years, the 2011 review process included the
COCOMs, Service Chiefs, and DoD leadership.
Click the button to learn about the new missions of UCP 2011.
When authorized by the SecDef through the CJCS, commanders of unified combatant commands may
establish subordinate unified commands (also called subunified commands) to conduct operations on a
continuing basis in accordance with the criteria set forth for unified commands.
Commanders of subordinate unified commands have functions and responsibilities similar to those of
, the commanders of unified commands.
They exercise Operational Control (OPCON) of assigned commands and forces and normally over
attached forces within the assigned joint operations area or functional area.
A subordinate unified command may be established on a geographic area or functional basis.
Roll over the button to view examples of subordinate unified commands
The purpose of a Joint Task Force (JTF) is to accomplish missions with specific, limited objectives which
do not require overall centralized control of logistics
When we use the term Joint Force Commander (JFC), we are referring exclusively to a combatant
commander, subordinate unified commander, or joint task force commander. The preceding pages were
devoted to these joint force commands. Now, we will discuss component command options beginning
with Service component commands.
All JFCs have Service components because administrative and logistic support for joint forces is provided
through the Service component commands. JFCs may conduct operations through the Service
component commanders or, at lower echelons, Service force commanders.
The other component command option is Functional component commands.
A Joint Force Commander may decide to establish Functional component commands to conduct
operations when forces from two or more Military Departments must operate within the same mission
area or geographic domain or there is a need to accomplish a distinct aspect of the assigned mission.
Command is central to all military action, and unity of command is central to unity of effort. Inherent in
command is the authority that a military commander exercises over subordinates, including authority to
assign missions and accountability for their successful completion.
Although commanders may delegate authority to accomplish missions, they may not absolve
themselves of the responsibility for attainment of these missions. Authority is never absolute; the extent
of authority is specified by the establishing authority, directives, and law.
The specific command relationship will define the level of authority a commander has over assigned or
attached forces. It is important that you understand these levels of authority
Assignment of Forces]
All forces under the jurisdiction of the Secretaries of the Military Departments (except those forces
necessary to carry out the functions of the Military Departments) are assigned to combatant commands
(COCOM) by the Secretary of Defense (SecDef).
[Transfer of Forces]
A force assigned or attached to a combatant command may be transferred from that command to
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller WALDENEXAMS. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $7.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
