commander in chief
Military's supreme leader
Commander in chief is the supreme commander of a nation's military forces.
In the United States, the Constitution designates the president as commander in chief of the armed forces, giving civilian authority over the military.
The term extends to anyone holding ultimate command: She was commander in chief of the entire operation.
Also spelled commander-in-chief.
Widespread, not specialized
- admiralSenior naval commander
- pentagonFive-sided closed figure
- defense secretaryCabinet official overseeing military
- armed forcesNation's combined military services
troops · deployment · war powers · military strategy · national defense · combat operations · nuclear codes · wartime leadership
Inherent physical or structural makeup
- separation of powersConstitutional distribution of authority
- checks and balancesConstitutional power-limiting framework
- congressional oversightLegislature monitoring executive branch
- impeachmentCharging officials with misconduct
oath of office · civilian control · enumerated powers · constitutional authority · legislative approval · judicial review · presidential succession · term limits
Organizational oversight and control
- cabinetEnclosed storage furniture
- executive orderBinding directive from leadership
- presidential powersConstitutional authority of leadership
- vetoOfficial refusal to approve
national security council · situation room · executive authority · federal authority · war declaration · emergency powers · executive privilege · national emergency
International relations strategy
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
- treatyBinding pact between nations
- sanctionsPunitive international restrictions
ambassador · NATO · alliance · international relations · state visit · bilateral talks · peace negotiations · coalition building
National leader during armed conflict
- founding fathersMale originators of institutions
- presidential legacyEnduring effects of leadership
- civil warDomestic armed conflict
general
Widespread, not specialized
- admiralSenior naval commander
- pentagonFive-sided closed figure
- defense secretaryCabinet official overseeing military
armed forces · troops · deployment · war powers · military strategy · national defense · combat operations · nuclear codes · wartime leadership · mobilization
constitution
Inherent physical or structural makeup
- separation of powersConstitutional distribution of authority
- checks and balancesConstitutional power-limiting framework
- congressional oversightLegislature monitoring executive branch
impeachment · oath of office · civilian control · enumerated powers · constitutional authority · legislative approval · judicial review · presidential succession · term limits · constitutional duty
administration
Organizational oversight and control
- cabinetEnclosed storage furniture
- executive orderBinding directive from leadership
- presidential powersConstitutional authority of leadership
veto · national security council · situation room · executive authority · federal authority · war declaration · emergency powers · executive privilege · national emergency
foreign policy
International relations strategy
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
- treatyBinding pact between nations
sanctions · ambassador · NATO · alliance · international relations · state visit · bilateral talks · peace negotiations · coalition building · diplomatic mission
wartime president
National leader during armed conflict
- founding fathersMale originators of institutions
- presidential legacyEnduring effects of leadership
- civil warDomestic armed conflict
- commandersgeneral, admiral, commodore, colonel, brigadier
- Military Affairsmilitary, defense secretary, War Department, defense strategy, military policy
- executive branchexecutive branch, Oval Office, executive power, executive orders, cabinet secretary
- leadership ranksgeneral, admiral, colonel, major, lieutenant
- presidencyOval Office, president, Washington, executive branch, veto
- ConstitutionBill of Rights, preamble, articles, U.S. Constitution, Article I
commander in chiefprivate
Restricted to certain parties
enlisted soldier · foot soldier · rank and file · infantryman · recruit
commander in chiefcivilian
Non-military person
non-combatant · conscientious objector · pacifist · draft dodger
chief, command, commanding, commander, commanded, commands, commend, commanders, commandment