jp1_02

As Amended Through 15 March 2013
operational control — Command authority that may be exercised by commanders at any
echelon at or below the level of combatant command. Operational control is inherent
in combatant command (command authority) and may be delegated within the
command. Operational control is the authority to perform those functions of command
over subordinate forces involving organizing and employing commands and forces,
assigning tasks, designating objectives, and giving authoritative direction necessary to
accomplish the mission. Operational control includes authoritative direction over all
aspects of military operations and joint training necessary to accomplish missions
assigned to the command. Operational control should be exercised through the
commanders of subordinate organizations. Normally this authority is exercised through
subordinate joint force commanders and Service and/or functional component
commanders. Operational control normally provides full authority to organize
commands and forces and to employ those forces as the commander in operational
control considers necessary to accomplish assigned missions; it does not, in and of
itself, include authoritative direction for logistics or matters of administration,
discipline, internal organization, or unit training. Also called OPCON. See also
combatant command; combatant command (command authority); tactical
control. (JP 1)
operational control authority — The naval commander responsible within a specified
geographical area for the naval control of all merchant shipping under Allied naval
control. Also called OCA. (JP 3-15)
operational decontamination — Decontamination carried out by an individual and/or a
unit, restricted to specific parts of operationally essential equipment, materiel and/or
working areas, in order to minimize contact and transfer hazards and to sustain
operations. This may include decontamination of the individual beyond the scope of
immediate decontamination, as well as decontamination of mission-essential spares and
limited terrain decontamination. See also decontamination; immediate
decontamination; thorough decontamination. (JP 3-11)
operational design — The conception and construction of the framework that underpins a
campaign or major operation plan and its subsequent execution. See also campaign;
major operation. (JP 5-0)
operational design element — A key consideration used in operational design. (JP 5-0)
operational environment — A composite of the conditions, circumstances, and influences
that affect the employment of capabilities and bear on the decisions of the commander.
Also called OE. (JP 3-0)
operational exposure guide — The maximum amount of nuclear/external ionizing
radiation that the commander considers a unit may be permitted to receive while
performing a particular mission or missions. Also called OEG. See also radiation
exposure status. (JP 3-11)
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