Which statement best differentiates centralized planning from decentralized execution in Marine C2?

• A. Decentralized planning concentrates decision rights at higher levels to develop a plan; centralized execution empowers lower echelons to execute tasks.
• B. Centralized planning duplicates the objective on every unit.
• C. Centralized planning concentrates decision rights at higher levels to develop a plan; decentralized execution empowers lower echelons to execute tasks based on the commander’s intent, enabling speed and adaptability.
• D. Centralized and decentralized execution are identical.

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is how authority for planning and for acting is distributed in Marine C2. Centralized planning keeps the decision rights to shape and synchronize the plan at higher levels, while decentralized execution gives subordinate units the authority to act on their own within the commander’s intent. This combination preserves unity of effort and aligned resources, yet lets crews on the ground move quickly, adapt to surprises, and exploit opportunities without waiting for new orders.

The best statement captures that planners at higher echelons produce a coherent plan, and once intent is established, lower echelons execute tasks with initiative, guided by that intent. This enables speed and flexibility—the hallmark of effective mission command—while maintaining overall direction.

The other ideas don’t fit because they misplace where planning versus execution authority resides, or assume execution would be identical to planning, or imply duplication of objectives across units.