Okay, so we all know that the military is part of the government. But does anyone know exactly which branch of the government leads the military? Is it the executive branch or something different? A clear answer would really clear up my confusion. Thanks a ton!
The military of the United States is under the control of the executive branch of the U.S. government. Specifically, the President of the United States is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. There's an entire structure—from the Secretary of Defense to the Joint Chiefs of Staff—underneath the President to help manage the various duties.
Constitutionally, while the President has the highest military authority, the power to declare war actually rests with the legislative branch, specifically, Congress. That being said, the President, as Commander-in-Chief, can deploy troops without a formal declaration of war.
So, while there are different roles and responsibilities involved, if you're looking for the branch of government that leads the military, that would be the executive branch with the President as the ultimate authority.
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