Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?

The Commander in Chief of the military is the President of the United States. This role is established in the U.S. Constitution, which grants the President the authority to command the armed forces. This position allows the President to make critical decisions regarding military operations, direct military strategy, and convene the armed forces, particularly in times of war or national emergency.

Furthermore, this authority emphasizes the principle of civilian control of the military, ensuring that military power is ultimately subordinate to elected civilian leadership. While the Secretary of Defense and military leaders carry out orders and manage the day-to-day operations of the armed forces, it is the President who holds the highest command authority, making this role vital in both national security and military governance.