Command Succession

An officer is vested with command by appointment or assumption.

Both appointment and assumption are based on seniority and may be temporary or permanent.

Appointment to command occurs by an act of the President, service Secretary, or his/her delegate. An officer who is assigned to an organization, present for duty, and eligible to command may be appointed to command if he/she is at least equal in grade to all other eligible officers, without regard to rank within grade.

Assumption of command is authorized when command passes to the senior military officer assigned to the organization who is present for duty and eligible to command.

No commander may appoint his/her successor. There is no title or position of "acting commander."

While enlisted members and civilians cannot exercise command, both may hold supervisory positions and provide supervision to military members and civilian personnel in a unit.