How many geographic combatant commands are there?

How many geographic combatant commands are there?

• A. 7
• B. 6
• C. 8
• D. 9

Answer: (A)

Understanding how the United States organizes its unified commands helps answer this. Geographic combatant commands are the regional ones, and there are six of them: Africa (AFRICOM), Europe (EUCOM), Central (CENTCOM), Indo-Pacific (INDOPACOM), Northern (NORTHCOM), and Southern (SOUTHCOM). Each commands conducts planning, training, and operations within its region and coordinates with other military forces and allies. The other unified commands are functional—like Cyber, Space, Special Operations, Strategic, and Transportation—and they operate across regions rather than being tied to a single geographic area. So, the number of geographic combatant commands is six.

Understanding how the United States organizes its unified commands helps answer this. Geographic combatant commands are the regional ones, and there are six of them: Africa (AFRICOM), Europe (EUCOM), Central (CENTCOM), Indo-Pacific (INDOPACOM), Northern (NORTHCOM), and Southern (SOUTHCOM). Each commands conducts planning, training, and operations within its region and coordinates with other military forces and allies. The other unified commands are functional—like Cyber, Space, Special Operations, Strategic, and Transportation—and they operate across regions rather than being tied to a single geographic area. So, the number of geographic combatant commands is six.