What type of commands consist of forces from two or more military departments?

The answer is unified combatant commands. These commands are specifically structured to integrate forces from multiple military branches, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and sometimes the Coast Guard. This integration allows for a unified approach to military operations that enhances coordination and effectiveness during joint operations.

Unified combatant commands are established by the Secretary of Defense and are typically organized either functionally or geographically. Functional commands focus on a specific type of mission or operational capability across different regions, while geographic commands cover operations within a specific geographical area.

Other types of commands, such as regional commands, strategic commands, and joint operational commands, serve different purposes and may not necessarily consist of forces from multiple military departments. Regional commands often concentrate on operations within a specific area but may primarily pertain to one branch of the military. Strategic commands may also focus on long-term military strategy and planning rather than operational execution across multiple branches. Joint operational commands emphasize cooperation among services but may not encompass the full spectrum of forces required to be categorized as unified combatant commands.