The Officer Commanding (OC) is the commander of a sub-unit or minor unit (smaller than battalion size) in British and Commonwealth military usage. In military terminology, a battalion consists of two to six companies typically commanded by a lieutenant colonel. ... Flag of the Commonwealth of Nations The Commonwealth of Nations is an association of independent sovereign states, most of which are former colonies once governed by the United Kingdom as part of the British Empire. ...

Normally an Officer Commanding is a company, squadron or battery commander (typically a Major). However, the commanders of independent units of smaller than company size, detachments and administrative organisations, such as schools or wings, may also be designated Officers Commanding. A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 100-200 soldiers. ... A Squadron is a grouping of aircraft, naval vessels, armoured fighting vehicles or soldiers. ... In military science, a battery is a group of artillery or cannon, so grouped in order to facilitate battlefield communication and the organization of barrages. ... Insignia of an 0-4 in the U.S. Armed Forces In the US Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and the British Army, a major is a commissioned officer superior to a captain and inferior to a lieutenant colonel. ...

The term Officer Commanding cannot be applied to any officer who is given command of a minor unit. For example, a platoon commander whose platoon is part of a company would not be an Officer Commanding. The Officer Commanding with power over that platoon would be the company OC. Officer Commanding is an appointment that confers a level of additonal powers and responsibilites on the appointee. See also Platoon (movie) and platoon (automobile) for the concept for reducing traffic congestion. ...

Officers Commanding are generally given the same power and responsibilites as Commanding Officers of battalions and regiments. They are held responsible for the unit's properties and monies, can hear disciplinary charges against soldiers/sailors/airmen under their command, and can delegate these powers. In military organizations, the commanding officer (CO) is the officer in charge of a military unit. ...