Defense Primer: What Is Command and Control?

reportActive / Technical Report | Accesssion Number: AD1132997 | Open PDF

Abstract:

The Department of Defense (DOD) defines command and control (C2) as [t]he exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commander over assigned forces in the accomplishment of the mission. At its most fundamental level, C2 represents how DOD makes operational decisions. One can view C2 through the context of five variables: who, what, when, where, and how (see Figure 1). Traditionally, Congress has focused on the authorities (the who) and technology (the how) variables, and less so on the force mix (what), temporal(when), and geographic (where). China and Russia have developed strategies to disrupt or potentially deny DOD its ability to make decisions; as a result, DOD is modernizing systems and processes to command and control military forces.

Author(s):
Hoehn, John R. ; Campbell, Caitlin ; Bowen, Andrew S.
Author Organization(s):
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC
Funding Organization(s):
CONGRESS (US) WASHINGTON DC, WASHINGTON DC , DC
Document Type:
Technical Report/Congressional Report
Publication Date:
2021 Apr 08
Pagination:
3

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution Code:
A - Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement: Public Release

RECORD

Collection: TRECMS
Subject Terms
Modernization Areas:
Fully Networked C3
Communities of Interest:
C4I
Descriptor(s):
command and control, cyberspace operations, national security, command and control systems, department of defense, warfare, congress, air force, electromagnetic spectra, military doctrine, military strategy, networks, tactical networks, air defense, command control communications, control systems, cyberspace
Keyword(s):
c2 (COMMAND AND CONTROL), dod (DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE), chain of command, nds (National Defense Strategy)
Subject Categories:
Military Sciences
Creation Date:
2021 Jun 10
Update Date:
2021 Aug 02