Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?

The President serves as the Commander in Chief of the military, a role established by the U.S. Constitution in Article II, Section 2. This position grants the President authority over the armed forces, allowing them to make critical decisions regarding military operations, strategy, and deployments. As Commander in Chief, the President collaborates with military leaders and advisors to ensure national security and defense objectives are met effectively.

This structure is designed to maintain a civilian oversight of the military, reflecting the principles of democracy where military power is subject to elected civilian authority. Other roles, such as the Vice President or the Secretary of Defense, are part of the national security apparatus but do not hold the ultimate command authority over the military. The Speaker of the House, while a significant leader in Congress, also does not have any direct command over military forces.