Battle command Battle command ( BC ) is the art and science of visualizing , describing , directing , and leading forces in operations against a hostile , thinking , and adaptive enemy . Battle command applies leadership to translate decision into actions , by synchronizing forces and warfighting functions in time , space , and purpose , to accomplish missions . Battle command refers both to processes triggered by commander s and executed by soldiers and to the system of systems ( SoS ) that directly enables those processes . When referring to a process , battle command is clearly a human endeavor . Alternate definition . FM 100 . 5 . BC is defined as the art of battle decision - making , leading , and motivating soldiers and their organizations into action to accomplish missions . BC includes visualizing the current state and future state , formulating concepts of operations to get from one to the other , and doing so at least cost . Assigning missions , prioritizing and allocating resources , selecting the critical time and place to act , and knowing how and when to make adjustments during the fight are also included . FM 7 - 30 . BC is the art and science of battlefield decision making and leading soldiers and units to successfully accomplish the mission . The BC basic elements are decision making , leading , and controlling . The BC System of Systems at brigade level enables commanders to lead , prioritize , and allocate assets required to employ and sustain combat power . The brigade commander must see further , process information faster and strike more precisely and quicker . If information is the medium of the BC process , the BC system must provide the commander with timely and accurate information on which to base the commander ' s decision . Synonyms . BC is also known by the following terms : Battle management . Battle management ( BM ) is the management of activities within the operational environment based on the commands , direction , and guidance given by appropriate authority . BM is considered to be a subset of BC . Processes . Business processes associated with command and control of military forces are detailed in various publications of the United States Department of Defense . System of systems . Modern BC software / hardware exhibits all of the traits / qualities of an SoS . A BC SoS can be decomposed into systems such as maneuver , logistics , fires and effects , air support , intelligence , surveillance , recognizance ( ISR ) , terrain , and weather ) . Among the many inputs of these systems is a plethora of sensors which undergo sensor fusion and are compiled into a common operational picture / local operational picture that enable commanders to achieve situational awareness ( SA ) / situational understanding ( SU ) . SA / SU is paramount for commanders to command and control modern military forces . Military acquisition . The Department of the Army organization primarily responsible for the acquisition of the BC SoS is the PM BC , a subordinate organization within the PEO C3T . Types . Battle command on the move ( BCOTM ) . One of the problems with BC SoS is that a commander has little communication while in the battlefield . Command and control planning occurs at a command post ( CP ) or tactical operations center ( TOC ) . Once a battle begins , a commander leaves the CP / TOC and moves forward to stay engaged . A commander has limited communication possibilities while in the battlefield , making it difficult to follow and control all events as they happen . " Battle command on the move " ( BCOTM ) is a capability that provides commanders all of the information resident in their CP / TOC and the required communications necessary to command and control on the move , or at a short halt , from any vantage point on the battlefield . Airborne battle command . Example airborne systems that contribute to BC :