How do commanders primarily exercise control over their forces?

Commanders primarily exercise control over their forces through communication. Effective communication is crucial for ensuring that all members of a unit understand the mission, objectives, and their individual roles within the team. This involves not only giving orders but also receiving feedback, clarifying doubts, and ensuring that everyone is on the same page.

Communication enables leaders to convey intent, provide updates, and adapt strategies based on the dynamics of the situation on the ground. It encompasses various forms, including verbal and written orders, radio transmissions, briefings, and informal discussions. This allows for a continuous flow of information, which is essential for making timely decisions, maintaining situational awareness, and fostering cohesion within the unit.

While strategic meetings, technological tools, and minimizing information flow can play supportive roles in command, they do not encapsulate the primary method through which control is exercised. Meetings can serve as a platform for communication, but they are not the primary mechanism. Technological tools can enhance communication but do not replace the fundamental need for direct interaction. Minimizing information flow would hinder the ability to exercise effective command, as it would limit the timely dissemination of essential information to troops.