Field Leadership Succession

For a company operation, succession will normally follow:

1. Company Commander
2. Designated Platoon Leader
3. Other Platoon Leaders
4. Platoon Sergeants
5. Senior subordinate leader

Where no successor is designated, succession among equivalent leaders follows the order established in the operation brief or ORBAT.

For an independent platoon operation, succession will normally follow:

1. Platoon Commander
2. Platoon Sergeant
3. Designated Squad Leader
4. Other Squad Leaders
5. Senior subordinate leader

The Field Leader must identify succession for the highest command position during the operation brief.

Any succession arrangement that differs from the standard order must be briefed before execution.

A leader assuming command must:

• Announce the change over the appropriate command network.
• Confirm the current mission and commander’s intent.
• Restore any vacated subordinate leadership position where practical.
• Inform higher and subordinate elements of the change.