What characterizes a supplementary command?

The correct choice highlights that supplementary commands are those issued by squad leaders to facilitate specific movements or actions within a larger maneuver. These commands serve to provide additional guidance and direction to smaller units, ensuring that movements are synchronized and executed effectively.

In a military context, supplementary commands are vital as they break down larger orders into manageable parts that can be addressed at the squad or team level. This enhances understanding and execution among team members, allowing for precise and coordinated efforts during drills or operations, thereby increasing overall unit effectiveness.

Other choices, while they may pertain to military commands, do not accurately define the nature of supplementary commands as they pertain to unit dynamics and leadership. For instance, implying that supplementary commands are only given by a platoon leader overlooks the very role of squad leaders in directing their teams. Similarly, stating that they are executed in silence or that they simply announce the start of a drill does not encapsulate their purpose or function within military operations.