Can a Senior Commander relieve a subordinate Commander that is in command?

Can a Senior Commander relieve a subordinate Commander that is in command?

• A. No; The relief is only temporary and must be approved by the first General Officer in the Command and they must counsel the subordinate immediately
• B. Yes; relief is temporary and must be approved by the first General Officer; subordinate counseled immediately
• C. Yes, immediately without approval
• D. Only if there is an official investigation AR 15-6 outcome

Answer: (B)

Relief of command is a temporary measure used when a commander’s continued command could negatively affect mission, safety, or good order. A senior commander has the authority to place a subordinate commander in a temporary relief status to prevent further risk while a higher authority reviews the situation. The key requirement is that this relief is temporary and must be approved by the first General Officer in the chain above the subordinate. The subordinate must be counseled immediately, meaning they are informed of the relief, the reasons, and what happens next. An investigation (for example, AR 15-6 proceedings) may follow or run in parallel, but relief itself requires higher-level approval and is not an automatic or permanent action.

Relief of command is a temporary measure used when a commander’s continued command could negatively affect mission, safety, or good order. A senior commander has the authority to place a subordinate commander in a temporary relief status to prevent further risk while a higher authority reviews the situation. The key requirement is that this relief is temporary and must be approved by the first General Officer in the chain above the subordinate. The subordinate must be counseled immediately, meaning they are informed of the relief, the reasons, and what happens next. An investigation (for example, AR 15-6 proceedings) may follow or run in parallel, but relief itself requires higher-level approval and is not an automatic or permanent action.