Which order is issued by the Secretary of Defense to direct the deployment or employment of forces?

The correct answer is that the order issued by the Secretary of Defense to direct the deployment or employment of forces is referred to as an "Execute" order. This terminology is utilized within military operations and command structures to convey a direct and formal instruction for forces to commence operations as planned. The "Execute" order signifies that all preparatory steps have been completed and that forces are cleared to proceed with the mission or deployment.

This term is critical because it indicates the transition from planning to action, ensuring that all components of the operation are synchronized and that the forces understand it is time to undertake their assigned tasks. In contrast, the other terms like "Launch" and "Authorize" are commonly used in different contexts within military operations but do not specifically refer to the formal issuance of orders for deployment or employment of forces. Similarly, "Deploy" refers more to the act of moving forces rather than the command itself.