U.S. MARINE CORPS JROTC
Category 5 – General Military Subjects
Skill 6 – Chain of Command
The Purpose of the Chain of Command
Chain of Command Defined
PURPOSE
The chain of command is the system used
to ensure that each individual receives instructions
for a particular task from only one supervisor. It
is an authority and accountability chain from the
highest office or position within the chain to the
lowest element. The chain of command assists
commanders at all levels to achieve their primary
function of accomplishing the organization or
unit’s assigned mission while caring for personnel
and property in their charge.
This lesson introduces you to the concept of
the chain of command.
It defines chain of
command, and identifies and describes the
two purposes of the chain of command.
Introduction
Whenever two or more people combine
their efforts to do a job, an organization exists.
The military, the Marine Corps, and MCJROTC
are no different. In the Marine Corps, thousands
of people combine their efforts to carry out a large
mission. This huge organization is able to do its
job because it has been organized for that
purpose. A line of responsibility and authority
extends from top to bottom, and relationships
between and within sections are spelled out. All
military organizations work within a structure
known as the chain of command.
A chain of command provides proper
avenues of communication.
It allows for
members to give and receive information. When
used properly, it is both simple and effective.
The chain of command varies based on
the command involved.
All orders and
instructions should be issued through the chain of
command. A person or unit can only have one
immediate commander who issues orders and
provides instructions.
Using the chain of
command, an individual commander may limit the
number of personnel who are directly supervised.
Purposes of the Chain of
Command
The chain of command serves two
purposes. The two purposes are to:
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
Decentralize authority

Link the different levels of command
U.S. MARINE CORPS JROTC
Category 5 – General Military Subjects
Skill 6 – Chain of Command
Decentralize Authority
Conclusion
Since it is impossible for one person to
assign duties to every individual or to supervise
every task personally, assignments are passed
down through the levels of command. This is
called decentralization of authority. For example,
the dining facility officer tells the chief cook what
foods to prepare for a meal. The chief cook then
tells the section cook, who in turn tells the other
cooks. When assigning duties to an individual
junior in rank, that individual has the authority to
accomplish those duties. However, the overall
responsibility for its success remains with the
Marine originating the order.
As a MCJROTC cadet, it is important
that you understand the chain of command and
how it works. In upcoming lessons, you will be
provided the chain of command for the Marine
Corps as well as the MCJROTC. Proper use of
the chain of command is vital to the overall
effectiveness of the Marine Corps as well as the
MCJROTC.
Link Levels of Command
Besides the decentralization of authority,
another purpose of the chain of command is to
link the different levels of command. This way,
the infantry private can talk to his battalion
commander if necessary.
The private goes
through his fire team leader with a problem. If
the problem cannot be solved by his fire team
leader, he is sent to the squad leader, then to the
platoon sergeant, next to his platoon commander,
and finally to his company commander. If the
problem cannot be solved by any of these Marines
after they are seen in order of their authority, the
private is sent to the battalion commander. Any
Marine can go as high as necessary to get a
problem resolved. All that the Marine must do is
to follow the chain of command one step at a
time. This is the same process that is used in the
MCJROTC chain of command. Go through each
level of command in your chain of command one
step at a time until the problem is resolved or the
question is answered.
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