Which of the following is NOT a component of the Operational Chain of Command?

The Operational Chain of Command in the context of military operations primarily encompasses the highest levels of authority and control. It includes the President of the United States (POTUS), who serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, and the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF), who directly oversees military operations and provides essential guidance and policies. Unified Combatant Commanders are responsible for U.S. military operations in specific geographical or functional areas and report directly to the SECDEF, maintaining their vital role in the command structure.

Type Commanders, however, are generally responsible for specific types of forces or units within the services (e.g., naval, air, etc.), and they operate within a different framework, often falling under the service-specific chain of command rather than the operational chain that links strategic decision-making through to tactical execution in joint operations. Thus, while Type Commanders are crucial to operational effectiveness, they do not constitute a component of the Operational Chain of Command as defined by the highest command structure.