Posted on May 2, 2018
In the event of a company commander being killed or otherwise incapacitated, who takes command, the 1SG or the senior PLT leader?
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Posted in these groups: 
Chain of Command
Chain of Command
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 14
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Here's what AR600-20 says on the matter:
2–8. Death, disability, retirement, reassignment, or absence of the commander
a. Commander of Army element.
(1) If a commander of an Army element, other than a commander of a headquarters and headquarters element, dies, becomes disabled, retires, is reassigned, or is temporarily absent, the senior regularly assigned Army Soldier will assume command......
2–9. Absence or disability of all officers of a unit
On death, disability, or absence of all officers of a unit normally commanded by an officer, the appropriate commander of the next higher command permanently assigns an officer to command, preferably of the branch to which the unit belongs. Pending assignment and arrival of the new commander, the senior WO, cadet, NCO, specialist, or private regularly assigned to the unit will exercise temporary command. Restrictions on assuming command in paragraphs 2–15 and 2–16 apply. Assumption of command will be as noted in paragraph 2–8.
And yes that says Cadet after WO and before NCO.
2–8. Death, disability, retirement, reassignment, or absence of the commander
a. Commander of Army element.
(1) If a commander of an Army element, other than a commander of a headquarters and headquarters element, dies, becomes disabled, retires, is reassigned, or is temporarily absent, the senior regularly assigned Army Soldier will assume command......
2–9. Absence or disability of all officers of a unit
On death, disability, or absence of all officers of a unit normally commanded by an officer, the appropriate commander of the next higher command permanently assigns an officer to command, preferably of the branch to which the unit belongs. Pending assignment and arrival of the new commander, the senior WO, cadet, NCO, specialist, or private regularly assigned to the unit will exercise temporary command. Restrictions on assuming command in paragraphs 2–15 and 2–16 apply. Assumption of command will be as noted in paragraph 2–8.
And yes that says Cadet after WO and before NCO.
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SGT Matthew S.
That would certainly be an "out of the frying pan" moment for poor said cadet... but how dire are things if you're down to a senior private?
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LTC Jason Mackay
SGT Matthew S. - happened at NTC in a training environment. They killed every leader off. Senior PFC pulled the map and OPORD of his dead PL, filled key leader positions, manned most casualty producing weapons, and continued mission. Seized a key piece of terrain and held onto it.
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SGT Mark Saint Cyr
Saw the same thing happen once, in a training environment. TOC NCO left to get a new pot of coffee, came back and it was decided that a missile had hit the HQ and taken everyone out. TOC was a buck Sergeant and was in command of the BN for 2-3 days. Fortunately said non com had been to every meeting, prior to this happening, as this was his first annual training as TOC NCO. Later, he was "killed" in action and came back as a Private. Fun times.
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The senior commissioned officer, normally the XO, but i have seen Battalion commanders give the command to a senior PL, and leave the XO in place.
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SGM Erik Marquez
SSG Carlos Madden Yes Unfortunately I have
My battalion commander COL Tim Karcher https://www.google.com/search?q=COL+Tim+Karcher&ie=&oe=
was hit by 3 EFP IED array.
I was his BN Ops SGM at the time
The S3 took control of the operations and patrols ongoing at the time, The XO took command overall until a new lieutenant colonel from division could be brought in some days later.
My CSM's patrol was hit on the way back from the hospital, we lost his driver that afternoon......
It was a shitty day..
We failed to protect our leaders that day, we failed to keep them safe as was our charge.......
My battalion commander COL Tim Karcher https://www.google.com/search?q=COL+Tim+Karcher&ie=&oe=
was hit by 3 EFP IED array.
I was his BN Ops SGM at the time
The S3 took control of the operations and patrols ongoing at the time, The XO took command overall until a new lieutenant colonel from division could be brought in some days later.
My CSM's patrol was hit on the way back from the hospital, we lost his driver that afternoon......
It was a shitty day..
We failed to protect our leaders that day, we failed to keep them safe as was our charge.......
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SSG Carlos Madden
SGM Erik Marquez - OH MAN. I remember this now. We landed in country early July, 2009 and one of our CA teams went to Sadr City to support the battalion. I recall that this had just happened when we got there.
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The XO, if there is one. Then the most senior ranking person present, whether commissioned or enlisted.
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