Does the military have to listen to the President?

Asked by: Rachael Doyle  |  Last update: March 5, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (12 votes)

Most people assume that the president oversees the military in the United States. As commander in chief of the U.S. Armed Forces, the president has broad authority to make decisions that affect the military branches, especially during wartime, including determining troop movements and developing strategies for combat.

Can the military override the government?

Martial law involves the temporary substitution of military authority for civilian rule and is usually invoked in time of war, rebellion, or natural disaster. When martial law is in effect, the military commander of an area or country has unlimited authority to make and enforce laws.

Can the president fire military officers?

(b) The President or the Secretary of Defense, or in the case of a commissioned officer of the Coast Guard, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating when it is not operating in the Navy, may drop from the rolls of any armed force any commissioned officer (1) who has been absent without ...

What happens if you don't listen in the military?

Penalties for Failure to Obey an Order

If you are convicted for violating or disobeying an order your military career will be over. In addition to being discharged, you can face other consequences. The seriousness of these consequences will depend on the type of order you violate or disobey.

Who controls the military other than the president?

Authority and control of the Armed Forces is executed through two chains of command: first, the President, through the Secretary of Defense, to the Combatant Commanders (CCDRs) for missions and forces assigned to Combatant Commands (CCMDs); and second, the President through the Secretary of Defense to the Secretaries ...

New Trump executive orders expected on military culture

37 related questions found

Does the president have power over the military?

Under the Constitution, the President, in addition to being Chief Executive, is Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy. He holds the prime responsibility for the conduct of United States foreign relations.

Who is in charge of the military after the president?

DOD's Top Leaders

The deputy secretary of defense is the second-highest ranking DOD leader. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the principal military advisor to the president and the secretary of defense. The vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the next highest ranking military leader.

Can a US soldier refuse an order?

Service members have a legal, enforceable duty to obey only lawful orders from those authorized to give orders (violating them is prosecutable by court-martial under Articles 90 and 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), and a legal excuse (and moral grounds) for disobedience under the limited circumstances of ...

Can the military check your phone?

Military law enforcement or a commanding officer may request your permission to search your phone. It's important to know that granting consent eliminates the need for probable cause or a search authorization. If you are asked for consent to search, decline consent and seek out an experienced attorney to assist you.

Can I refuse to talk to CID?

BASIC RULE: YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT:

You should NEVER agree to talk with civilian or military police, or your chain of command about the offense you are suspected of until AFTER you talk to a defense attorney. If you want to talk, you can always do it later, AFTER talking with a defense attorney.

Who can fire the President of the US?

The United States Constitution provides that the House of Representatives "shall have the sole Power of Impeachment" (Article I, section 2) and "the Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments … [but] no person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two-thirds of the Members present" (Article I, ...

Who can declare war?

The Constitution grants Congress the sole power to declare war. Congress has declared war on 11 occasions, including its first declaration of war with Great Britain in 1812.

Is the President considered a veteran?

Though the president of the United States is commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces, prior military service is not a prerequisite for holding the office.

Who has more power over the military?

As commander in chief of the U.S. Armed Forces, the president has broad authority to make decisions that affect the military branches, especially during wartime, including determining troop movements and developing strategies for combat. However, that is not the only military power outlined in the Constitution.

Has martial law ever been declared in the US?

Generals may also declare martial law during wartime. Martial law has been declared in the U.S. at least 68 times, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.

Can the president call up the National Guard?

The term used is federalized. Federalized National Guard forces have been ordered by the President to active duty either in their reserve component status or by calling them into Federal service in their militia status. There are several forms: Voluntary Order to Active Duty.

Can the military search your house?

You can refuse consent and make them get a warrant or a search authorization from the base commander if you live on base (this includes government contracted housing). A base commander does not have authority to authorize a search of civilian property not located on base.

Do you get paid in basic training?

Do you get paid in Basic Training? Yes, you do get paid in Basic Training on the first and fifteenth of every month. The amount depends on your rank.

Do marines get their phones during boot camp?

Trainees will use cell phones only under direct supervision of a staff member. 4. Trainees are authorized access to their personal cell phones during the fourth week and at the end of the seventh week of training to firm up travel arrangements with family and guests.

What happens if you get an article 92?

For a violation or failure to obey lawful general order or regulation, the maximum punishment is to be reduced to E-1, to forfeit all pay and allowances, confinement for two years, and to be discharged from the service with a dishonorable discharge.

Can the president tell the military what to do?

The president's first duty is to protect the Constitution of the United States and ensure the country's national security. To do so, the president gives orders on how to wage war. For all intents and purposes, the president is the “supreme commander” of the military.

What if a soldier refuses to fight?

Those who don't receive such status but refuse to fight can face court-martial and penalties from dishonorable discharge to prison.

What rank is XO in the Army?

In many militaries and police forces, an executive officer, or "XO", is the second-in-command, reporting to the commanding officer. The XO is typically responsible for the management of day-to-day activities, freeing the commander to concentrate on strategy and planning the unit's next move.

Who is head over the military?

General Charles Q. Brown, Jr. is the 21st Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation's highest-ranking military officer, and the principal military advisor to the President, Secretary of Defense, and National Security Council.