The Department of Defense has divided the world up into regional areas of responsibility – each region designated as a combatant command. These regions are provided command and control organizations and led by four-star general (or admirals) officers. The Combatant Commands are:
United States Africa Command (AFRICOM)
United States Central Command (CENTCOM)
United States European Command (EUCOM)
United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM)
United States Pacific Command (PACOM)
United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)
Additional Joint Commands include:
United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM)
United States Strategic Command (STRATCOM)
United States Transportation Command (TRANSCOM)
Each of the combatant commands have sub-commands to include theater special operations commands – SOCAFRICA, SOCCENT, SOCEUR, SOCNORTH, SOCPAC, and SOCSOUTH.
Source: “Unified Command Plan”, U.S. Department of Defense.
