Command structure before the battle

The command chapter asks who could actually direct each part of the fleets once battle began. Ozawa simultaneously carried mobile-fleet, force, and carrier-division responsibilities, while Kurita and other Japanese commanders combined task-group and subordinate-unit jobs. Several available vice admirals held narrow battleship or submarine commands, leaving experience poorly distributed and succession unclear. The American structure separated Spruance's fleet-wide judgment, Mitscher's fast-carrier operations, Lee's battle line, and individual task groups under rear admirals. Command design and usable staff capacity were fighting capabilities in their own right.