Mission Command

Command and control (C2) is an essential element of the art and science of warfare. No single specialized function, either by itself or combined with others, has a purpose without it. Commanders are responsible for C2. However, C2 is also of great concern to staff officers and some staff specialists. Some understand C2 to be a distinct, specialized function-similar to logistics, intelligence, and information operations. C2 does have its own procedures, considerations, and vocabulary. It operates separately from other functions, yet in coordination with them. Through C2, commanders initiate and integrate all military functions and operations toward a common goal-mission accomplishment. How one understands C2 depends on the perspective from which one approaches its study. Some study and discuss C2 as technological means and resources. Others see C2 as people only. Still others focus on C2 as an organization. Finally, C2 has been discussed as a set of procedures. In practice, however, C2 is a commander and a C2 system-a combination of people, organization, technological means and resources, and procedures. Commanders have exercised C2 throughout history. They have performed many of the same C2 functions as long as warfare has existed. Doctrine provides military organizations with a common philosophy and language. It enhances unity of effort. FM 6-0 establishes and explains the Army's command and control (C2) doctrine principles. FM 6-0 is the Army's key integrating manual for C2. It provides the basis for C2 doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures in all Army publications. It promotes common understanding of the fundamentals and concepts of C2 in Army operations, and supports joint and Army doctrine. It supersedes chapters 1 through 4, chapter 6, and appendixes G, I, K, and L of FM 101-5. FM 6-0 provides doctrine on C2 for tactical Army echelons (corps and below). FM 6-0 establishes mission command as the C2 concept for the Army. It focuses on the premise that commanders exercise C2 over forces to accomplish missions. It emphasizes fundamentals and concepts rather than specific equipment or systems, although it discusses the role of equipment and systems in supporting C2. It includes insights from Force XXI initiatives and digitization. Supporting and extending leadership doctrine found in FM 22-100, it defines control within command and control, and covers decision making during execution. FM 6-0 provides doctrine for information management, a contributor to information superiority. (See FM 3-13.) While intelligence is an information product essential in C2, the doctrine addressing information and information management is not intended to change or replace intelligence doctrine in the FM 2 (formerly FM 34) series of field manuals. FM 6-0 applies to commanders of all Army organizations. However, it focuses on tactical commanders and leaders at corps-level and below. With appropriate modifications, it can apply to other Army commands and to Army elements of joint and multinational headquarters. It applies to digitized, analog, and hybrid (combination digitized/analog) units and organizations. The doctrine in FM 6-0 forms the foundation for Army Education System instruction in C2.