Commander

Besides the use of Tiberium, it is the use of Commanders that sets GDI and Nod apart from most regular armies. In most regular armies, there is a sharp demarcation of ranks, and each officer is assigned to a particular army, sector of land (such as CINCPAC - Commander In Chief PACific), or command post. As far as can be understood, Commander is a special rank somewhat equivalent to Colonel, and although he/she normally commands forces that can reasonably be commanded by a colonel (armored brigade), Commanders are flexible. Through the EVA or CABAL network, the most brilliant leaders can be tasked to provide their insight anywhere in the globe, as soon as a crisis develops.

A Commander is also sometimes called to go onto the battlefield, at which point he/she controls via a sophisticated mobile command unit. The Kodiak and Montauk command units were developed for this purpose.

Traditionally, "Commander" is actually a naval rank below captain. Its use as a title may not necessarily indicate that this is an actual rank.