Which authority allows leaders to enforce discipline across all military branches?

General military authority is the correct answer because it encompasses the overall responsibility and power that leaders have to enforce discipline and maintain order across all military branches. This authority is derived from the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), which establishes that military leaders are responsible for the conduct and discipline of their subordinates regardless of the specific branch they serve in.

This authority allows leaders to ensure compliance with military standards, regulations, and the law, thereby fostering a consistent and uniform approach to discipline across the armed forces. General military authority provides leaders with the necessary tools to manage personnel effectively and enforce standards of conduct that are applicable to all servicemembers, not just those within their immediate command.

The other choices represent different aspects of military organizational structure and command but do not encapsulate the cross-branch disciplinary powers. Command authority refers specifically to the authority given to leaders over their units, operational authority relates to executing missions and operations, and regulatory authority typically pertains to the enforcement of specific policies or regulations but is not as broad as general military authority in scope.