What is command and control (C2)?

What is command and control (C2)?

• A. The exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commander over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission.
• B. The process of planning operations.
• C. The execution of orders.
• D. The coordination of intelligence.

Answer: (A)

Command and control means the authority and direction a properly designated commander has over assigned and attached forces to accomplish the mission. It isn’t just planning or handing out orders; it’s the ongoing process of making decisions, conveying intent, directing actions, and synchronizing efforts across units and functions so everyone works toward the same objective. Authority is vested in the commander, and control is how that authority is exercised to coordinate and integrate actions, allocate resources, and keep the operation moving smoothly. While planning, executing orders, or coordinating intelligence are parts of military operations, they fall under the broader C2 process that ties them together under a single command structure.