Commander-in-Chief Facts for Kids

A commander-in-chief is the top leader of a country's military forces. This person is in charge of the army, navy, and air force. In some countries, the commander-in-chief does not need to have been a soldier. The term was first used by King Charles I of England in 1639.

Sometimes, a commander-in-chief is also called a Supreme Commander. This title means they have the highest authority over the military.

Who Leads the Military Around the World?
Images for kids
See also

Who Leads the Military Around the World?

Different countries have different people in charge of their military. Often, it's the country's main leader, like a president or a king.

Australia's Military Leader

In Australia, the Governor-General of Australia acts as the commander-in-chief. They represent the King or Queen of the United Kingdom in Australia.

United Kingdom's Commander-in-Chief

In the United Kingdom, the King or Queen is technically the commander-in-chief. However, this title is rarely used by the monarch. Instead, it usually refers to local military leaders.

India's Military Chiefs

After India became independent from Britain on August 15, 1947, each part of its military got its own main leader. This means the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force each have their own chief commander.

Iran's Supreme Leader

Before 1979, the Shah was the commander-in-chief in Iran. After the country became an Islamic Republic, the Supreme Leader of Iran took on this important role.

Ireland's President as Commander

In Ireland, the President is the commander-in-chief of the country's army.

Pakistan's President and Prime Minister

In Pakistan, the President is officially the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces by law. However, the elected Prime Minister usually holds the real power over the military.

Hong Kong's Former Governor

When Hong Kong was a British colony, the Governor of Hong Kong was also the commander-in-chief for the region.

United States President's Role

Being the commander-in-chief is one of the many important jobs given to the president of the United States. This means the president is the ultimate boss of the U.S. military.

Images for kids

Argentine president Carlos Menem at an Argentine Air Force ceremony in May 1997.
Governor General of Australia The Lord Gowrie (right) signing the declaration of war against Japan with Prime Minister John Curtin (left) looking on (8 December 1941).
President Alexander Lukashenko in the official uniform of the commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Belarus.
Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Alija Izetbegović (right) meeting with US president Bill Clinton (left) in 1997 in Tuzla.
King George VI inspecting a Royal Canadian Navy guard of honour during the 1939 royal tour of Canada.
King Christian IV on board his flagship during the 1644 Battle of Colberger Heide.
C. G. E. Mannerheim, the Marshal of Finland, as the commander-in-chief in 1941 during the Continuation War.
The ceremony of passing the Cheget (nuclear briefcase) from Dmitry Medvedev's military aide to Vladimir Putin's military aide during the 2012 presidential inauguration.
Current President of South Korea, President Yoon Suk-yeol.
King Felipe VI in uniform of Captain General of the Navy at the Naval NCO Academy in 2014.
Mareşal Mustafa Kemal Pasha (center), the president of Turkey with other generals of the Turkish Armed Forces in 1925.
Hugo Chavez, the president of Venezuela, dressed in military garb in August 2006.
New recruits standing in front of the Reichstag building before taking the Bundeswehr oath.
Werner von Blomberg (left) saluting Adolf Hitler (right) with a baton at the 1937 Nuremberg Rally.
4-stars Flag-Insignia of Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Tatmadaw.
The Royal insignia (Dutch: distinctief) worn by King Willem-Alexander, instead of a regular military rank, whenever he wears a Dutch military uniform.
The Swedish monarch (King Carl XVI Gustaf) is no longer the commander-in-chief of the Swedish Armed Forces.
Napoléon I, Emperor of the French, reviewing the Imperial Guard at the Battle of Jena-Auerstedt in 1806.