3-46. Good control measures foster freedom of action, decision making, initiative, and reporting during operations. Commanders tailor their use of control measures to conform to the higher echelon commander’s intent. They also consider the mission, terrain, and amount of authority delegated to subordinates. Effectively employing control measures requires commanders and staffs to understand their purposes and ramifications, including the permissions or limitations imposed on subordinates’ freedom of action and initiative. Each measure should have a specific purpose: mass the effects of combat power, synchronize subordinate forces’ operations, minimize the possibility of fratricide, or comply with the law of armed conflict.