Airman Leadership School (ALS) 26-C Practice Test 2026 - Free ALS Practice Questions and Study Guide

Combatant Commands are led by four-star generals or admirals. This level of rank is required because these commands oversee forces from multiple military services (and often allied partners) across large geographic areas or specialized missions, requiring authority that crosses service lines and remains unified and decisive. The President, through the Secretary of Defense, appoints a four-star officer to serve as the Combatant Commander, giving them the overarching authority to direct all assigned forces. Lower ranks simply don’t have the authority or scope to command at this joint, cross-service level, which is why they aren’t in charge of Combatant Commands.