Encyclopedia > Command, control, and communications
The military science term command, control, and communications or C3 designates a telecommunications network used by the command hierarchy for the command and control of a military force. Generally the reference is to the hardware and systems that support the organization, but can mean the combination of these with dedicated military specialist units. Military science concerns itself with the study and of the diverse technical, psychological, and practical phenomena that encompass the events that make up warfare, especially armed combat. ... A telecommunications network is a network of telecommunications links arranged so that messages may be passed from one part of the network to another over multiple links. ... A command hierarchy is a group of people committed to carrying out orders from the top, that is, of authority. ... In telecommunication, command and control (C 2 ) is the exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commander over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission. ...
The term is applicable from the strategic level, where direction is decided and issued by the top-level commanders (such as the Joint Chiefs of Staff), down to in-theatretactical control and localized battlefield control. Military strategy in the Waterloo campaign Military strategy is a collective name for planning the conduct of warfare. ... Joint Chiefs of Staff symbol The Joint Chiefs of Staff is a panel comprising the highest-ranking members of each major branch of the armed services in any particular country. ... In warfare, a theater or theatre is normally used to define a specific geographic area within which armed conflict occurs. ... Military tactics is the collective name for methods of engaging and defeating an enemy in battle. ... The Battle of Waterloo by William Sadler. ...
The term is also used for the equivalent civilian structures for control of the emergency services—particularly in terms of organization by local government to cope with large-scale emergencies. Emergency services are public services that deal with emergencies and other aspects of Public Safety. ... Local governments are administrative offices of an area smaller than a state. ...
Command and control functions are performed through an arrangement of personnel, equipment, communications, facilities, and procedures employed by a commander in planning, directing, coordinating, and controlling forces and operations in the accomplishment of the mission.
The term command and controll (note the double l) is sometimes employed by Internet trolls to suggest that their activities are more organized than they might appear.
Ubiquitous command and control (UC2) is a concept for the future of command and control.