What is the 4th Law of Combat as described by the authors?

• A. The Law of Planning and Control
• B. Unity of Effort
• C. The Law of Mission Clarity
• D. Decentralized Command

Answer: (D)

Decentralized Command is the fourth Law of Combat. It means pushing decision-making authority down to the lowest level capable of acting, while the leader clearly communicates the intent and end state. This approach keeps momentum, allows faster reactions to changing conditions, and ensures actions stay aligned with the mission because everyone understands the purpose and the boundaries. It also reduces bottlenecks from waiting for higher-level approvals and helps develop capable, proactive teams. The other options aren’t the officially named fourth law, though they reflect important principles; the authors designate Decentralized Command as the key idea for enabling speed and initiative on the ground.