Which command relationship describes the authority over subordinate forces to organize and employ commands and forces, assign tasks, designate objectives, and give authoritative direction necessary to accomplish the mission?

• A. Operational Control
• B. Tactical Control
• C. Assigned
• D. Organic

Answer: (A)

Operational Control gives the authority to organize and employ forces, assign tasks, designate objectives, and provide the authoritative direction necessary to accomplish the mission. This level of control lets the commander direct how those forces are used across units and time to achieve the stated goals, adapting as needed to the situation. Tactical Control is more limited, focusing on directing the use of specific forces for a mission without the broader authority to set objectives or reorganize forces. Forces that are assigned describe administrative status—they’re designated to a command—rather than the authority to control how those forces are employed. Organic refers to units that are inherently part of a parent organization, not to a command relationship over other forces.