▎Distributed C2

Mission Command

Command philosophy granting subordinates intent-based discretion under decentralized authority.

Definition

Mission Command is the U.S. and NATO command philosophy that pushes decision authority to the lowest competent echelon under a clear commander's intent. It is the doctrinal counterpart to distributed C2 software: the technology only delivers value if commanders and units are trained and authorized to act on it.

Reference attributes

Doctrine: ADP 6-0 (U.S. Army)
Principle: Disciplined initiative under intent

Related terms

Commander's Intent
Concise statement of purpose, key tasks, and end state that guides subordinate initiative.
Distributed Decision-Making
Operational pattern in which decision authority is partitioned across echelons and nodes.

#doctrine