unified command

In the U.S. services the unified commands are those commands with broad continuing missions under a single commander and composed of forces from two or more military departments, and which are established by the President, through the Secretary of Defense with the advice and assistance of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (to whom the commanders of the various unified commands report). The number and designation of the unified commands change from time to time, but at present there are nine. The five unified area commands are: U.S. Atlantic Command (USLANTCOM aka USACOM); U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM); U.S. European Command (USEUCOM); U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM); and U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM). The four unified functional commands are: U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM); U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM); U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM); and U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM).

See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.

Units under the control of the Joint Chiefs of Staff containing elements from all of the U. S. armed forces. They are normally commanded by a four star general or admiral and are given the title Commander-in-Chief.

(DOD) A command with a broad continuing mission under a single commander and composed of significant assigned components of two or more Military Departments, that is established and so designated by the President through the Secretary of Defense with the advice and assistance of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Also called unified combatant command. See also combatant command; subordinate unified command.