Changes

The concept of chain of command also implies that higher rank alone does not entitle a higher-ranking service member to give commands to anyone of lower rank. For example, an officer of unit "A" does not directly command lower-ranking members of unit "B", and is generally [[expected]] to approach an officer of unit "B" if he requires [[action]] by members of that unit. The chain of command means that [[individual]] members take orders from only one superior and only give orders to a defined group of people [[immediately]] below them.

The concept of chain of command also implies that higher rank alone does not entitle a higher-ranking service member to give commands to anyone of lower rank. For example, an officer of unit "A" does not directly command lower-ranking members of unit "B", and is generally [[expected]] to approach an officer of unit "B" if he requires [[action]] by members of that unit. The chain of command means that [[individual]] members take orders from only one superior and only give orders to a defined group of people [[immediately]] below them.

If an officer of unit "A" does give orders directly to a lower-ranked member of unit "B", it would be [[considered]] highly [[unusual]] (a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faux_pas faux pas]) as officer "A" would be seen as subverting the [[authority]] of the officer of unit "B". Depending on the situation or the standard [[procedure]] of the [[military]] [[organization]], the lower-ranked member being ordered may [[choose]] to carry out the order anyway, or advise that it has to be cleared with his or her own ''chain of command'' first, which in this example would be with officer "B". Refusal to carry out an order is almost always considered insubordination, the only exception usually allowed is if the order itself is illegal (i.e., the person carrying out the order would be committing an [[Crime|illegal [[act]]). (See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superior_Orders Superior Orders].)

If an officer of unit "A" does give orders directly to a lower-ranked member of unit "B", it would be [[considered]] highly [[unusual]] (a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faux_pas faux pas]) as officer "A" would be seen as subverting the [[authority]] of the officer of unit "B". Depending on the situation or the standard [[procedure]] of the [[military]] [[organization]], the lower-ranked member being ordered may [[choose]] to carry out the order anyway, or advise that it has to be cleared with his or her own ''chain of command'' first, which in this example would be with officer "B". Refusal to carry out an order is almost always considered insubordination, the only exception usually allowed is if the order itself is illegal (i.e., the person carrying out the order would be committing an [[Crime|illegal act]]). (See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superior_Orders Superior Orders].)

In addition, within [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat combat] units, line officers are in the ''chain of command'', but officers in specialist fields (such as [[medical]], dental, [[legal]], supply, and chaplain) are not, except within their own specialty. For example, a [[medical]] officer in an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infantry infantry] battalion would be [[responsible]] for the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_medics combat medics] in that unit but would not be eligible to command the battalion or any of its subordinate units.

In addition, within [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat combat] units, line officers are in the ''chain of command'', but officers in specialist fields (such as [[medical]], dental, [[legal]], supply, and chaplain) are not, except within their own specialty. For example, a [[medical]] officer in an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infantry infantry] battalion would be [[responsible]] for the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_medics combat medics] in that unit but would not be eligible to command the battalion or any of its subordinate units.

The term is also used in a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilian civilian] management [[context]] describing comparable [[hierarchical]] [[structures]] of [[authority]].

The term is also used in a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilian civilian] management [[context]] describing comparable [[hierarchical]] [[structures]] of [[authority]].

==See also==

==See also==

*'''''[[Hierarchy]]'''''

*'''''[[Hierarchy]]'''''