Chain of command

In a military context, the chain of command is the line of authority and responsibility along which orders are passed.

Related Topics:
Military - Chain

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The line of command will generally go from a higher-ranked soldier who gives the order, i.e. an officer, down to a lower-ranked soldier who is ordered to perform, i.e. a common soldier.

Related Topics:
Officer - Soldier

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In general, military personnel give orders to only those directly below them in the chain of command and receive orders from only those directly above. For example, a common soldier who has difficulty carrying out an order is likely to be disciplined for not observing the chain of command if he skips the officer who is in direct command of him and directly appeals to a higher-ranked officer in his chain of command.

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The concept of chain of command also implies that higher rank alone does not entitle a person to give commands. For example, an officer of a given military unit cannot directly command common soldiers of another unit, because this officer is outside of their chain of command. If the officer needs something from the soldiers of another unit, he is generally expected to approach an officer along their chain of command.

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The term is also used in civilian context describing comparable hierarchical structures of authority, for example in management.

Related Topics:
Civilian - Hierarchical - Management

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