When I transitioned from active-duty service into federal contracting, I assumed the structure of the job would feel familiar. After all, I was still working with the military, supporting defense programs, and dealing with high-stakes equipment.

But it didn’t take long to realize something critical: the chain of command in a civilian environment doesn’t work the way it does in the military.

That doesn’t mean there’s no structure—but the roles, expectations, and even the way people communicate authority is different. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Who’s actually in charge here?”—you’re not alone.

Here’s what I’ve learned about navigating both military and civilian command structures as a federal contractor.

 

1. Military Chain of Command: Clear, Rank-Based, and Formal

In the military, everything flows through rank and rate. You know exactly who your superior is, where you fall in the chain, and what happens when someone higher gives you a directive.

There are clear roles (Commanding Officer, Department Head, Division Officer), documented responsibilities, and little ambiguity. If someone outranks you, they don’t need to explain why—they just need to give you the order.

That clarity, structure, and respect for hierarchy is baked into every process.

 

2. Civilian Chain of Command: Functional, Sometimes Flat, and Heavily Relationship-Driven

On the contractor or civilian side, the chain of command is often project-based, not rank-based. You might have:

• A program manager from your company
• A contracting officer’s representative (COR) from the government
• A site lead or technical point of contact (POC) who guides daily work
• And in some cases, multiple senior civilians who have influence but no direct authority over your employment

This creates a web of stakeholders, and not all of them issue clear directives. In fact, many rely on influence, consensus, and collaboration, not chain-of-command authority.

 

3. How to Navigate Both Without Losing Your Bearings

Here’s what’s helped me stay grounded when bouncing between military precision and civilian flexibility:

✅ Clarify Expectations Early

When you join a contract, ask:

• Who do I take direction from?
• Who has final say on technical work?
• Who evaluates my performance (company vs. government)?
  Get it in writing if you can. Miscommunication between contractor and government reps is more common than you think.

 

✅ Respect Military Customs, Even as a Civilian

If you’re working alongside active-duty personnel, respect their structure. Even though you’re not in uniform, you’re still in their house.

• Use proper titles (Chief, LT, Senior)
• Be mindful of ranks during meetings
• Don’t undercut the chain of command by jumping over it—this breaks trust fast

 

✅ Don’t Mistake Informality for Lack of Authority

Some civilian supervisors won’t sound like military leaders. They may not give direct orders. That doesn’t mean they’re not in charge.

Pay attention to:

• Project leads
• QA managers
• Technical experts
  They may not wear stripes, but their decisions carry weight—especially when you’re supporting a government program.

 

✅ Document, Document, Document

Unlike in the military, where orders are often verbal and backed by authority, contract work depends on documentation. Always:

• Track who gave what directive
• Save emails and memos
• Keep a personal log of your tasking and deliverables

This protects you in audits and helps you stay clear on responsibilities in a multi-boss environment.

 

4. Chain of Communication > Chain of Command

In federal contracting, it’s less about “Who told you?” and more about how you communicate your actions and decisions.

You may need to loop in your contracting company PM, keep your government COR informed, and coordinate with the military shop you’re supporting—all at once.

Good communication = trust
Trust = more autonomy and smoother contract execution

 

5. Stay Mission-Focused, Not Turf-Focused

One of the best lessons from the military that still applies is this: serve the mission, not yourself.

Contractors who get caught up in “who’s in charge” politics or try to play chain-of-command games with the wrong person usually don’t last long. Instead:

• Focus on delivering quality work
• Be respectful and tactful
• Let your output speak for itself

In the end, people want someone they can count on—not someone who can quote a reporting hierarchy.

 

Final Thoughts

Navigating both military and civilian command structures takes some adjustment—but it’s a skill worth learning. Once you understand the differences and know how to move fluidly between both worlds, you become incredibly valuable to any defense contract team.

I’m still learning every day. But if there’s one thing that holds true in both environments, it’s this:

Respect up, support across, lead down.