JP 1, Doctrine for the Armed Forces of the United States - Defense ...

Chapter V
apply to USNORTHCOM.) Transient forces do not come under the chain of command of
the GCC solely by their movement across operational area boundaries, except when the GCC
is exercising TACON for the purpose of force protection. Unless otherwise specified by
SecDef, and with the exception of the USNORTHCOM AOR, a GCC has TACON for
exercise purposes whenever forces not assigned to that GCC undertake exercises in that
GCC’s AOR.
9. Other Authorities
Other authorities outside the command relationships delineated above are described
below.
a. Administrative Control. ADCON is the direction or exercise of authority over
subordinate or other organizations with respect to administration and support, including
organization of Service forces, control of resources and equipment, personnel management,
logistics, individual and unit training, readiness, mobilization, demobilization, discipline, and
other matters not included in the operational missions of the subordinate or other
organizations. ADCON is synonymous with administration and support responsibilities
identified in Title 10, USC. This is the authority necessary to fulfill Military Department
statutory responsibilities for administration and support. ADCON may be delegated to and
exercised by commanders of Service forces assigned to a CCDR at any echelon at or below
the level of Service component command. ADCON is subject to the command authority of
CCDRs. ADCON may be delegated to and exercised by commanders of Service commands
assigned within Service authorities. Service commanders exercising ADCON will not usurp
the authorities assigned by a CCDR having COCOM over commanders of assigned Service
forces.
b. Coordinating Authority. Commanders or individuals may exercise coordinating
authority at any echelon at or below the level of CCMD. Coordinating authority is the
authority delegated to a commander or individual for coordinating specific functions and
activities involving forces of two or more Military Departments, two or more joint force
components, or two or more forces of the same Service (e.g., joint security coordinator
exercises coordinating authority for joint security area operations among the component
commanders). Coordinating authority may be granted and modified through an MOA to
provide unity of effort for operations involving RC and AC forces engaged in interagency
activities. The commander or individual has the authority to require consultation between
the agencies involved but does not have the authority to compel agreement. The common
task to be coordinated will be specified in the establishing directive without disturbing the
normal organizational relationships in other matters. Coordinating authority is a consultation
relationship between commanders, not an authority by which command may be exercised. It
is more applicable to planning and similar activities than to operations. Coordinating
authority is not in any way tied to force assignment. Assignment of coordinating authority is
based on the missions and capabilities of the commands or organizations involved.
c. Direct Liaison Authorized (DIRLAUTH). DIRLAUTH is that authority granted by
a commander (any level) to a subordinate to directly consult or coordinate an action with a
command or agency within or outside of the granting command. DIRLAUTH is more
V-12 JP 1