Defense Primer: Control and Command of the U.S. Military

The following is the Sept. 11, 2026, Congressional Research Service defense primer, Control and Command of the U.S. Military.

From the Report

Congress has exercised oversight and a measure of control over the U.S. military, including by, inter alia, legislating the chain of command, directing changes to military components and their responsibilities, and determining resources for the military.

Military operations, in peacetime and in war, are inherently complex. One key to success, therefore, is a clear, unified chain of command. This enables senior U.S. government leaders—in particular, the President, the civilian Secretary of Defense, and the civilian Service Secretaries—to command and control military forces around the world. (The Secretary of Defense is using “Secretary of War” as a “secondary title” under Executive Order 14347 dated September 5, 2025).

Constitutional Authorities

The U.S. Constitution specifies roles and authorities of the legislative and executive branches related to civilian control, and ultimate command, of military forces.

Article I, Section 8, Clauses 11-14 of the Constitution state, [The Congress shall have Power…] To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water; To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years; To provide and maintain a Navy; To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces.

Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 states, The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States.

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