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In a military context, the chain of command is the
line of authority and responsibility along which orders are passed
within a military unit and between different units. Orders are
transmitted down the chain of command, from a higher-ranked soldier,
such as a commissioned officer, to lower-ranked personnel who either
carry out the order personally or transmit it down the chain as
appropriate, until it is received by those expected to carry it out.
In general, military personnel give orders only to
those directly below them in the chain of command and receive orders
only from those directly above them. A service member who has
difficulty carrying out a duty or order and appeals for relief directly
to an officer above his immediate commander in the chain of command is
likely to be disciplined for not observing the chain of command.
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