Command element (United States Marine Corps)

In the United States Marine Corps, the command element or CE is the command and control force of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). It provides C3I for the MAGTF.

Role within the MAGTF
The CE provides all headquarters functions for the MAGTF: command, operations, plans, and administration. It also often holds units which do not fit within the ground combat element, aviation combat element, or logistics combat element.

Organization
The size of the CE varies in proportion to the size of the MAGTF. A Marine Expeditionary Force has a MEF Headquarters Group, approximately the size of a regiment. A Marine Expeditionary Brigade holds a battalion-sized MEB Headquarters Group. The various Marine Expeditionary Units command a company-sized MEU Headquarters Group. Generally, MEF postings are permanent, while MEBs and MEUs rotate their GCE, ACE, and LCE twice annually.

I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group
CE of I Marine Expeditionary Force

II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group
CE of II Marine Expeditionary Force

III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group
CE of III Marine Expeditionary Force

Headquarters Battalion
CE of Marine Forces Reserve