Mission Command 7 Principles

Mission command is characterized by the following seven principles:

• Competence: Subordinates must be competent and capable of exercising initiative
• Mutual trust: Commanders and subordinates must trust each other to make sound decisions and act in the best interests of the mission
• Shared understanding: Commanders and subordinates must have a shared understanding of the mission, the enemy, the terrain, and the friendly forces
• Commander's intent: Commanders must clearly articulate their intent to their subordinates
• Mission orders: Commanders issue mission orders, which focus on the purpose of the mission rather than the specific details of how it will be accomplished
• Disciplined initiative: Subordinates must exercise initiative to accomplish the mission within the commander's intent
• Risk acceptance: Commanders must be willing to accept prudent risks in order to achieve the mission