From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Military term
The
officer commanding
(
OC
), also known as the
officer in command
or
officer in charge
(
OiC
), is the commander of a sub-unit or minor unit (smaller than
battalion
size), principally used in the United Kingdom and
Commonwealth
. In other countries, the term
commanding officer
is applied to commanders of minor as well as major units.
Normally an officer commanding is a
company
,
squadron
or
battery
commander (typically a
major
, although formerly a
captain
in infantry and cavalry units). However, the commanders of independent units of smaller than company size,
detachments
and administrative organisations, such as schools or
wings
, may also be designated officers commanding.
The term "officer commanding" is not applied to every officer who is given command of a minor unit. For example, a
platoon
commander whose platoon is part of a company would not be an officer commanding. The officer commanding with power over that platoon would be the company OC. "Officer commanding" is an appointment that confers a level of additional powers and responsibilities on the appointee.
Officers commanding are generally given the same power and responsibilities as commanding officers of battalions and regiments. They are held responsible for the unit's properties and monies, can hear disciplinary charges against soldiers, sailors, or
airmen
under their command, and can delegate these powers.