What is the command authority that may be exercised by commanders at any echelon at or below the level of combatant command?

• A. Plan
• B. Mobility
• C. Tactical control
• D. Operational control

Answer: (D)

Operational control is the command authority that allows a commander at any level below a combatant command to organize and employ forces to accomplish an operation. This level of authority lets the commander assign tasks, direct the sequencing and timing of actions, and reallocate forces and resources across subordinate units as needed to achieve the mission. It’s broader than tactical control, which covers directing the execution of specific tasks within units but doesn’t enable cross-unit reorganization or overall operation-wide direction. It’s not administrative control, which focuses on support and service functions rather than combat actions. So, for directing how forces work together across a theater to achieve a goal, operational control is the appropriate authority.