text: Chapter 2
  Secretary of Defense. COCOM is established in federal law by Section 164, Title 10, USC. Normally, the
  CCDR exercises this authority through subordinate JFCs, Service components, and functional component
  commanders. COCOM includes DAFL.
  OPERATIONAL CONTROL
  2-112. The authority to exercise OPCON is exclusively derived from COCOM authority. Forces provided by
  the Services and attached to a CCMD are typically in an OPCON command relationship. OPCON is the
  authority to perform those functions of command over subordinate forces involving—
  • Organizing and employing commands and forces.
  • Assigning tasks.
  • Designating objectives.
  • Giving authoritative direction necessary to accomplish missions.
  2-113. OPCON normally includes authority over all aspects of operations and joint training necessary to
  accomplish missions. It does not include DAFL or matters of administration, discipline, internal organization,
  or unit training. OPCON does include the authority to delineate functional responsibilities and operational
  areas of subordinate JFCs. In two instances, the Secretary of Defense may specify adjustments to
  accommodate authorities beyond OPCON in an establishing directive: when transferring forces between
  CCDRs, or when transferring members or organizations from the military departments to a CCMD.
  Adjustments will be coordinated with the participating CCDRs.
  TACTICAL CONTROL
  2-114. TACON is inherent in OPCON. TACON may be delegated to and exercised by commanders at any
  echelon at or below the level of CCMD. TACON provides sufficient authority for controlling and directing
  the application of force or tactical use of combat support assets within the assigned mission or task. TACON
  does not provide organizational authority or authoritative direction for administrative and logistics support;
  the commander of the parent unit continues to exercise these authorities unless otherwise specified in the
  establishing directive.
  JOINT SUPPORT RELATIONSHIPS
  2-115. Support is a command authority in joint doctrine. A superior commander establishes a supported and
  supporting relationship between subordinate commanders when one organization should aid, protect,
  complement, or sustain another force. Designating supporting relationships is important. It conveys priorities
  to commanders and staffs planning or executing joint operations. Designating a support relationship does not
  provide authority to organize and employ commands and forces, nor does it include authoritative direction
  for administrative and logistical support. See figure 2-4 for a depiction of joint command relationships.
  Note. The joint command relationship of “Support” is distinct from Army support relationships.
  2-116. Support is, by design, somewhat vague but very flexible. Establishing authorities ensure both
  supported and supporting commanders understand the authority of supported commanders. JFCs often
  establish supported and supporting relationships among components. An Army headquarters designated as
  the land component may be the supporting force during some campaign phases and the supported force in
  other phases. A joint support relationship is not used when an Army commander task organizes Army forces
  in a supporting role. When task-organized to support another Army force, Army forces use one of four Army
  support relationships. See table 2-1 for a listing of joint support categories.