II-3 General Functions of a Combatant Commander ....... II-14 V COMMANDER'S OVERVIEW Provides Doctrine and Policy Governing Unified Direction of Forces Discusses the Chain of Command and Relationships Covers Command Relationships and Other Authorities Provides Doctrine and Policy for Establishing Joint The President is responsible for national strategic unity of effort. The Secretary of Defense is responsible for national military unity of effort. The Chairman transmits missions to combatant commanders. Combatant commanders accomplish the mission. Unity of Effort Unity of effort requires coordination among government departments and agencies within the executive branch, between the executive and legislative branches, nongovernmental organizations, and among nations in any alliance or coalition. The President of the United States, advised by the The Secretary of Defense is responsible to the President for national military unity of effort for creating, supporting, and employing military capabilities. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) functions under the authority, direction, and control of the National Command Authorities (NCA) and transmits communications between the NCA and combatant commanders and oversees activities of combatant commanders as directed by the Secretary of Defense. Commanders of combatant commands exercise combatant command (command authority) over assigned forces and are directly responsible to the NCA for the performance of assigned missions and |