Mission Command also referred to as
Mission-type tactics, is a style of military command, derived from the Prussian-pioneered
mission-type tactics doctrine, which combines centralized intent with decentralized execution
subsidiarity and promotes freedom and speed of action, and initiative, within defined constraints. Subordinates, understanding the commander's intentions, their own missions and the context of those missions, are told what effect they are to achieve and the reason why it needs to be achieved. They then decide within their delegated freedom of action how best to achieve their missions. Orders provide only enough detail to establish intent and objectives, allowing freedom of action. Mission Command is closely related to civilian management concept of workplace empowerment and its use in business has been explored by writers such as Bungay (2011) and Tozer (1995, 2012). It is advocated, but not always used, by the
Chain of command in the
United States, Canadian, Dutch and the
British Army. Mission Command is compatible with modern military
net-centric concepts, and less centralized approaches to command and control (C2) in general.