Quincy N Butler & Harris A. Simmons 
Combatant Commands in the U.S. Armed Forces 
Elements and Considerations

The Unified Command Plan (UCP) and associated Combatant Commands (COCOMs) provide operational instructions and command and control to the Armed Forces and have a significant impact on how they are organized, trained and resourced – areas over which Congress has constitutional authority. The UCP is a classified executive branch document prepared by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and reviewed and updated every two years that assigns missions; planning, training, and operational responsibilities; and geographic areas of responsibilities to COCOMs. This book provides information on the history, mission, and operational considerations of the UCP and COCOMs with a focus on current issues and considerations.