A joint force constituted and designated by the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) may refer to a unified combatant command, such as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) or U.S. European Command (EUCOM). These commands are responsible for conducting military operations in specific geographic regions and consist of personnel from multiple branches of the military working together.
Combatant Command
the Secretaries of the Military Departments and then to the Service Chiefs
Secretary of defense and the president
the Combatant Commanders
military departments
to complete tasks assigned to the combatant commanders by the president or secretary of defense
Operational control
Combatant Command
National Strategic
Combatant Command
combatant commander, subordinate unified commander, and joint task force commander