Combatant Commands are unified commands in the United States military responsible for specific geographic areas or functional missions. Each command is led by a four-star general or admiral and is tasked with planning and executing military operations, ensuring readiness, and coordinating with other branches of the military. There are two main types of Combatant Commands: Geographic Combatant Commands, which focus on specific regions like U.S. Central Command for the Middle East, and Functional Combatant Commands, which handle specific missions, such as U.S. Special Operations Command for special operations forces.