#98: CIVICS 101: The Executive Branch
Q&A #98: It is constitutionally mandated that the President is Commander in Chief of the Army and the Navy. What about the other military services?
Our American Government
Our American Government is a small book published by the House of Representatives for citizens and those who seek a greater understanding of the American interpretation of democracy. It follows a question-and-answer format and covers a broad range of topics dealing with the three branches of our Government, the electoral process, and the role of political parties.
The Savvy Citizen is reproducing the 169 questions-and-answers through a series of posts called Civics 101. Each post will contain the Q&A as well as some additional commentary to add historical context, fun facts, or anything we believe will add to our collective understanding of these topics.
Think of it as your adult Civics class but without the test!
Let’s keep at it.
SECTION: White House and Executive Office of the President
Q&A #98: It is constitutionally mandated that the President is Commander in Chief of the Army and the Navy. What about the other military services?
Organizationally, the U.S. Marine Corps is a part of the U.S. Navy, and the military service that is now the U.S. Air Force was once part of the U.S. Army. These four military services are a part of the Department of Defense, an executive branch department. Congress, moreover, has provided that, subject to the direction of the President and applicable laws, the Secretary of Defense has authority, direction, and control over the Department of Defense and, thus, over the Armed Forces. During time of war or as directed by the President, the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service may be declared to be a military service by Executive order. Likewise, the Coast Guard, usually a part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, operates as part of the U.S. Navy in time of war or when directed by the President.
My Thoughts
The Department of Defense has a great website: defense.gov!
It’s truly a one-stop shop for all things military and national defense, including a deep dive into the organizational structures of each of the armed forces here, including a detailed breakdown of the U.S. Army here.
Back next time with Q&A #99: What is a Presidential veto?
Meanwhile, don’t forget that we’re organizing the post links on a single page available here.
xo,
Kelley for the Savvy Citizen Team
May 19, 2025