What is the typical structure of a JROTC battalion chain of command?

• A. Battalion Commander, Executive Officer, Command Sergeant Major, then company commanders and platoon leaders.
• B. Executive Officer, Battalion Commander, Command Sergeant Major, then company commanders and platoon leaders.
• C. Company Commander, Battalion Commander, Platoon Leader, then Executive Officer.
• D. Battalion Commander, Company Commander, Executive Officer, then Command Sergeant Major.

Answer: (D)

In a battalion, authority runs from the top commander down through the unit leaders, with a clear division of roles to keep everyone aligned. The Battalion Commander is the overall leader responsible for mission, training, and readiness. Directly under that leadership are the Company Commanders, who run their respective companies and carry out the battalion’s plans at the company level. The Executive Officer serves as the second-in-command, coordinating staff work, schedules, and resources to ensure the commander’s decisions are implemented across the battalion. The Command Sergeant Major is the senior enlisted advisor, focusing on discipline, morale, and welfare for the enlisted corps, and helping ensure training standards and policies are understood throughout the battalion. This ordering—top officer, then the company-level leadership, with the XO and the CSM supporting and advising—fits the described structure and keeps the chain of command clear and effective.