Imperial High Command

Imperial High Command, also known as Imperial Command, High Command, or simply as IHC, was a central command division in the Galactic Empire. It was formally overseen by a Supreme Commander who also reported directly to the Emperor, formulated the objectives for the Imperial Military, and was briefed daily by the Joint Chiefs, despite that Imperial Command was structured beneath them. It consisted of members of the Admiralty, General Staff, Imperial Security Bureau, Stormtrooper Command and Battle Station Command.

Beneath the IHC, the specific branch leadership took over, and organization became more decentralized. At this level, most decisions were made by the specific leadership of each of the three main branches: the Admiralty, for the Imperial Navy, the General Staff for the Imperial Army, and Stormtrooper Command for the Stormtrooper Corps. From there, command decsended from Imperial officers leading military units of decreasing size, until responsibility for fighting fell on the enlisted soldiers and naval troopers.

Following the Battle of Yavin, Grand General Cassio Tagge was temporarily elevated to Supreme Commander by Emperor Palpatine due to his foresight regarding the weakness of the first Death Star.

The Emperor's right-hand, Darth Vader, who served as the informal Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Military, Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin, Director Orson Callan Krennic of the Imperial Military Department of Advanced Weapons Research, and Grand Admiral Thrawn of the 7th Fleet were also members of Imperial Command. It had at least one sub-unit, which developed new strategies and tactics as part of the Empire's five-year plans for the Outer Rim Territories.

Text and facts from the “Imperial High Command” article on Wookieepedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Modified for this site.