Which of the following is a component of the mission command principles?

The selected answer is correct because one of the fundamental principles of mission command is the emphasis on building cohesive teams through mutual trust. Mission command is about empowering subordinate leaders to make decisions based on their understanding of the commander's intent, which relies heavily on trust and teamwork. When team members trust one another, they can operate more effectively, share information freely, and support each other's decisions, which leads to greater mission success. This trust is built through consistent communication, shared experiences, and a common understanding of goals, fostering an environment where individuals feel confident taking initiative.

In contrast, while the other options may present different aspects of military operations, they do not capture the essence of mission command principles as effectively. Encouraging individual performance unconditionally could undermine teamwork, as it may lead to self-serving behavior rather than cooperative action. Gaining positional advantage through deception is a tactical approach but doesn't align with the collaborative nature of mission command. Finally, over-reliance on technology for communication can create barriers rather than enhance mutual trust and may hinder real-time interaction that is crucial in fast-paced environments. Thus, building cohesive teams through mutual trust stands out as a critical element in the doctrine of mission command.