Week 4 chain of command
Nancy Folley
Chamberlain College of Nursing

Introduction
Information passes up the chain of command and orders and commands are passed down the chain of command ("Chain," 2003). As the Proverb says a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. If the wrong or ill-informed information is sent up the command chain then the decision at the top will be ill advised and the commands down the chain potentially disastrous.
Individual soldiers in the field
The soldier serves America, his fellow citizens and protects our way of life ("global," n.d.). Enlisted officers promise to obey the President and the Officers appointed over them ("global," n.d.). The Officer appointed over the soldier is responsible for their actions as long as they are following commands. They are to have blind faith in their leaders to guide and direct them with the goal of accomplishing their mission and keeping them safe as possible.

Battalion
A battalion is manmade up of four to six companies approximately 1000 soldiers. They are capable of independent operations of limited duration and scope they are usually under the command of a lieutenant colonel ("Army," n.d.). Battalion commanders answer to their division commanders.

Division
A Division may have up to 15,000 soldiers. It is usually commanded by a major general. They are assigned missions based on their structures they can conduct sustained battles ("Army," n.d.). They get their orders from the commander of the U.S. Military Assistance Command of Vietnam (MACV).

General William Westmoreland
General Westmoreland was picked by President Johnson to command the U.S. Military Assistance Command of Vietnam (MACV). He directed the U.S. military strategy that built up American troops Westmoreland’s strategy depended on superiority of U.S. firepower. He underestimated his enemy and had to answer