Ace the 7th Grade Civics Challenge 2026 – Unlock Your Path to Victory!

The President of the United States serves as the Commander in Chief, which means the civilian leader has ultimate authority over the armed forces and directs military operations. This role places military leadership under civilian oversight, with the President making key strategic decisions and appointing top generals and admirals (with Senate confirmation). Congress handles declaring war and funding, but the President leads the military day to day. The Vice President isn’t the commander in chief, and the Speaker of the House and the Chief Justice hold leadership roles in other branches, not in charge of the military.