<P> Although holding a leadership position in the same sense as commanders, the individual in charge of a platoon, the smallest unit of soldiers led by a commissioned officer, typically a second lieutenant, is referred to as the platoon leader, not the platoon commander . This officer does have command of the soldiers under him but does not have many of the command responsibilities inherent to higher echelons . For example, a platoon leader cannot issue non-judicial punishment . </P> <P> Non-commissioned officers may be said to have charge of certain smaller military units . They cannot, however, hold command as they lack the requisite authority granted by the head of state to do so . Those wielding "command" of individual vehicles (and their crews) are called vehicle commanders . This distinction in title also applies to officers who are aircraft commanders ("pilot in command"), as well as officers and enlisted soldiers who are tank and armored vehicle commanders . While these officers and NCOs have tactical and operational command (including full authority, responsibility, and accountability--especially in the case of aircraft commanders) of the soldiers and equipment in their charge, they are not accorded the legal authority of a "commanding officer" under the UCMJ or military regulations . </P> <P> Warrant officers in the United States armed forces are single career - track officers that can, and occasionally do, hold command positions within certain specialty units, i.e. Special Forces and Army Aviation . However, warrant officers usually do not command if a commissioned officer is present; normally they serve as Executive Officer (2IC). </P> <P> The commanding officer of a company, usually a captain, is referred to as the company commander or the battery commander (for field artillery and low altitude air defense units). The commanding officer of a battalion or a squadron (Marine aviation), is usually a lieutenant colonel . The commanding officer of a regiment, aviation group, or Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), a colonel, is the regimental / group / MEU commander . At the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB), Marine Logistics Group (MLG), Marine Division (MARDIV), Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), and Fleet Marine Force (FMF) levels, however, the commanding officer is referred to as the commanding general, as these officers hold general officer rank . </P>

Who was given command of all army units in the pacific