commanding officer
Troops' top authority
A commanding officer is a military officer in charge of a unit, base, or operation—the person with authority over personnel and responsibility for their actions.
Often abbreviated CO: The commanding officer ordered the troops to stand down.
The term appears in civilian contexts for anyone with similar authority over a group or operation.
Widespread, not specialized
- admiralSenior naval commander
- colonelSenior military officer
- captainOne who commands
- majorOf chief importance
lieutenant · brigadier · sergeant · commodore · marshal · corporal · ensign · private
Higher in rank
- subordinateOne lower in rank
- echelonLevel within hierarchy
- rankingOrdered position assignment
- organizational chartDiagram showing workplace hierarchy
pecking order · levels · structure · staff · adjutant · aide-de-camp · deputy · unit
Required moral task
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
- obligationRequired task or commitment
- stewardshipResponsible care of entrusted things
- chargeCost or accusation
trust · integrity · answerability · conduct · honor · oath · commission · custodianship
Legal authority's scope
- controlAuthority to direct
- powerEnergy transfer rate
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
- enforcementCompelling compliance with rules
direction · regulation · supervision · mandate · orders · directive · commission · posting
Planned approach to goals
- decision-makingProcess of choosing actions
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
- briefingConcise information session
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
morale · discipline · mentorship · guidance · motivation · coordination · tactical · operational
general
Widespread, not specialized
major · lieutenant · brigadier · sergeant · commodore · marshal · corporal · ensign · private · rear admiral
superior
Higher in rank
- subordinateOne lower in rank
- echelonLevel within hierarchy
- rankingOrdered position assignment
organizational chart · pecking order · levels · structure · staff · adjutant · aide-de-camp · deputy · unit · battalion
duty
Required moral task
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
- obligationRequired task or commitment
- stewardshipResponsible care of entrusted things
charge · trust · integrity · answerability · conduct · honor · oath · commission · custodianship · rules of engagement
jurisdiction
Legal authority's scope
enforcement · direction · regulation · supervision · mandate · orders · directive · commission · posting · assignment
strategy
Planned approach to goals
- decision-makingProcess of choosing actions
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
- briefingConcise information session
inspection · morale · discipline · mentorship · guidance · motivation · coordination · tactical · operational · mission planning
- militarysoldiers, army, troops, navy, generals
- marinerscaptain, sea captain, ship captain, boat captain, skipper
- military commandgenerals, admirals, captains, lieutenants, marshals
- military commandersgeneral, colonel, major, captain, commandant
- military officerscolonel, general, major, admirals, field marshals
- Military Paradesmarch music, marching, marchers, formation, formations
commanding officerenlisted soldier
Non-officer in armed forces
private · enlisted man · enlisted personnel · rank and file · foot soldier
commanding officersubordinate
One lower in rank
underling · follower · inferior · junior officer · grunt
office, command, officer, official, offices, commanding, commander, commanded, commands