Which command authority gives a Combatant Commander full authority over assigned forces?

Which command authority gives a Combatant Commander full authority over assigned forces?

• A. Operational Control
• B. Tactical Control
• C. Administrative Control
• D. Combatant Command

Answer: (D)

Combatant Command gives the Combatant Commander the full authority to organize, direct, and employ all forces assigned to them to accomplish the mission. This authority lets the commander assign tasks, designate objectives, and make operational decisions across the area of responsibility. The other authorities are more limited: Operational Control covers directing operations and movements within assigned tasks but not broad organizational changes; Tactical Control is even narrower, focusing on specific tasks; Administrative Control deals with admin and support and does not authorize operational direction. So the broad, comprehensive authority over assigned forces comes from Combatant Command.

Combatant Command gives the Combatant Commander the full authority to organize, direct, and employ all forces assigned to them to accomplish the mission. This authority lets the commander assign tasks, designate objectives, and make operational decisions across the area of responsibility. The other authorities are more limited: Operational Control covers directing operations and movements within assigned tasks but not broad organizational changes; Tactical Control is even narrower, focusing on specific tasks; Administrative Control deals with admin and support and does not authorize operational direction. So the broad, comprehensive authority over assigned forces comes from Combatant Command.