§ 368.5 - Functions of the Unified and Specified Combatant Commanders.

(a) Unless otherwise directed by the President or the Secretary of Defense, the authority, direction, and control of the Commander of a Unified or Specified Combatant Command with respect to the commands and forces assigned to that command include the command functions of:

(1) Giving authoritative directions to subordinate commands and forces necessary to carry out missions assigned to the command, including authoritative direction over all aspects of military operations, joint training, and logistics;

(2) Prescribing the chain of command to the commands and forces within the command;

(3) Organizing commands and forces within that command as he considers necessary to carry out missions assigned to the command;

(4) Employing forces within that command as he considers necessary to carry out missions assigned to the command;

(5) Assigning command functions to subordinate commanders;

(6) Coordinating and approving those aspects of administration and support (including control of resources and equipment, internal organization, and training), and discipline necessary to carry out missions assigned to the command; and

(7) Exercising the authority with respect to selecting subordinate commanders, selecting combatant command staff, suspending subordinates, and convening courts-martial, as provided in 10 U.S.C.

(b) If a commander of a combatant command at any time considers his authority, direction, or control with respect to any of the commands or forces assigned to the command to be insufficient to command effectively, the commander shall promptly inform the Secretary of Defense.

(c) Unless otherwise directed by the President or the Secretary of the Defense, Commanders of Unified and Specified Combatant Commands exercise authority over subordinate commanders as follows:

(1) Commanders of commands and forces assigned to a unified or specified combatant command are under the authority, direction, and control of, and are responsible to, the Commander of the Unified or Specified Combatant Command on all matters for which the Commander of the Unified or Specified Combatant Command has been assigned authority under § 386.5(a);

(2) The commander of a command or force referred to in § 386.5(c)(1) shall communicate with other elements of the Department of Defense on any matter for which the Commander of the Unified or Specified Combatant Command has been assigned authority under § 386.5(a) in accordance with procedures, if any, established by the Commander of the Unified or Specified Combatant Command;

(3) Other elements of the Department of Defense shall communicate, with the commander of a command or force referred to in § 386.5(c)(1) on any matter for which the Commander of the Unified or Specified Combatant Command has been assigned authority under § 386.5(a) in accordance with procedures, if any, established by the Commander of the Unified or Specified Combatant Command; and

(4) If directed by the Commander of the Unified or Specified Combatant Command, the commander of a command or force referred to in § 386.5(c)(1) shall advise the Commander of the Unified or Specified Combatant Command of all communications to and from other elements of the Department of Defense on any matter for which the Commander of the Unified or Specified Combatant Command has not been assigned authority under § 386.5(a).