Who is the commander in chief?

Study for the Army AIT Phase 6 Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations for each question. Elevate your exam readiness!

Multiple Choice

Who is the commander in chief?

Explanation:
The key idea here is civilian control of the military. The person who serves as Commander in Chief is the President of the United States, the civilian leader who directs the armed forces and makes broad military policy. The Vice President isn’t the commander in chief, and the Secretary of Defense runs the Department of Defense under the President but does not command the troops in the President’s stead. The other names listed are past presidents who held that same office at different times, but the authority itself sits with the President. So, the role of commander in chief belongs to the President.

The key idea here is civilian control of the military. The person who serves as Commander in Chief is the President of the United States, the civilian leader who directs the armed forces and makes broad military policy. The Vice President isn’t the commander in chief, and the Secretary of Defense runs the Department of Defense under the President but does not command the troops in the President’s stead. The other names listed are past presidents who held that same office at different times, but the authority itself sits with the President. So, the role of commander in chief belongs to the President.

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