What is the purpose of mission command in the Army?

The purpose of mission command in the Army is to empower subordinate decision-making. This approach emphasizes decentralized command, fostering an environment in which leaders at all levels understand the overall mission and the commander's intent, allowing them to make decisions based on the situational context as it unfolds.

By empowering subordinates, mission command encourages initiative and adaptability, enabling units to respond quickly and effectively to changes on the battlefield. It promotes trust and confidence between leaders and their subordinates, as well as encourages collaboration and shared understanding among team members. This approach ultimately enhances operational flexibility, ensuring that units can adapt to evolving missions while still aligned with broader strategic objectives.

While centralizing decision-making or directing all operations may seem effective in some contexts, these methods can lead to slower response times and lack of initiative among lower ranks, which are not suitable for dynamic operational environments. Eliminating error in execution, while a goal in many regards, does not capture the essence of mission command, which is more about enabling effective decision-making through autonomy and empowerment rather than strict control.