Organizational Structure, Regulations, and Policy
Domain 6 tests how you locate authority and apply it consistently: chain of command, staff roles, and the hierarchy of law, regulation, directive, and local SOP.
Hierarchy and roles
- Higher authority controls; a local SOP cannot contradict a regulation.
- Line authority directs operations; staff advises and coordinates.
- Policy changes require the issuing authority, not informal habit.
- Read the current issuance and check for waivers.
Policy cycle
Draft policy only after identifying the governing higher-level document. Staff it with affected offices, assign an effective date and review date, and publish through the authorized channel.
Worked example: A unit SOP says leave requests need only supervisor approval, but the service regulation requires commander approval for leave over a set number of days. Reasoning: the regulation prevails. The supervisor cannot approve under the SOP. Route the request to the commander and recommend correcting the SOP so future requests follow the higher rule.
Traps that cost marks
- Relying on "we have always done it this way."
- Using an obsolete copy of a directive.
- Approving an unauthorized local deviation.
- Skipping the chain of command.
- Publishing policy without coordination or a review date.