Who has the overall authority to relieve a soldier from their post?

The overall authority to relieve a soldier from their post resides with the Commanding Officer. This individual has the ultimate responsibility for the command and control of their unit, which includes making critical decisions regarding personnel management and duty assignments. The Commanding Officer can authorize the relief of personnel based on various factors, including performance, behavior, or operational needs.

While other roles may have specific authority or responsibilities related to the day-to-day operations and the welfare of soldiers, none carry the same level of authority as the Commanding Officer for making substantial decisions such as relieving someone from their post. For instance, the Sergeant Major often serves as an advisor and may be involved in personnel matters, but the Commanding Officer holds the final decision-making power. Similarly, the Officer of the Day might be tasked with overseeing duties on a given day but does not have the overarching authority to relieve a soldier permanently from their post without an order from the Commanding Officer. The First Lieutenant, while an officer, typically serves under the Commanding Officer and does not have the same authority to make such decisions independently.