The interface that the commander uses to watch over his squad is called the command HUD (heads up display). When plugged into a Command Console, the HUD replaces the commander's field of vision, and basic controls allow him to manipulate and control the display.

The three most important components of the HUD are the mini-map, the menu, and the view.

Mini-map
A map of the entire ship or base, this is a quick way to jump the display (view) to another area (just click on the map to jump). Marines appear on this map as green, structures blue, and aliens, when visible, as red (see nano-gridlock). Requests for ammo, structures under attack, and other alerts appear on the minimap. The minimap is invaluable for quickly identifying and responding to urgent events all over the battlefield.

Marines Structures Aliens Resource Nodes