The chain of command is the system that controls life in any of the services; it determines who writes a person’s annual report, which determines their future postings. The Chain of Command is also the tasking authority for subordinates, in effect; your orders come from your chain of command. This concept is common to all the services and is transferable to many commercial companies also. In understanding where the chain of command is for a particular post it is crucial to understand the structure of the organization in which you are working, i.e. the makeup of the unit, or headquarters.There is always someone at the top of the chain of command and that person is usually your commanding officer, in a field unit. So if for example he is a Colonel, another Colonel from a different organization, who may still be senior to you – does not command you. As such that ‘other’ Colonel would usually speak to your Commanding Officer before giving you orders as you don’t ‘belong to him’. If you want to get along without upsetting people, knowing your Chain of Command is critical, it can also provide you with great back up if you are having problems with someone.

Enlisted Ranks
So here is how it works in the US Marine Corps, at least these are the ranks which determine who is senior to whom. It starts at the bottom of the enlisted ranks with Private First Class, Lance Corporal, Corporal, Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Gunnery Sergeant, Master Sergeant/First Sergeant, Sergeant Major, Master Gunnery Sergeant, and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.

Warrant Officers
Before we get to the officers, there are the Warrant Officers; these hold warrants from their service secretary and are specialists and experts in their particular field. The order of merit is as follows: Warrant Officer 1, Chief Warrant Officer 2, Chief Warrant Officer 3, Chief Warrant Officer 4, and Chief Warrant Officer.

Officers
For the officer ranks is goes like this: Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier General, Major General, Lieutenant General, General (Commandant of the Marine Corps).

The bottom line is that wherever you find yourself in the military, one of the first things you should do is understand exactly how the chain of command works in that unit; it will play an integral part in your military success.

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