Commander in Chief
of The United States

We are going to explain all about the Commander in Chief of the United States, A.K.A the President.

Powers of Commander in Chief

• Order Soldiers to battle
• Order army to take over government of another country
• Call government troops to keep order within the US
• Can't declare war (Congress does that)

One of the many jobs of the President is as commander in Chief.  The framers of the constitution allowed the President, a non military person, to lead the armed forces to prevent a military leader from taking over the government.

Although the President seems like a good man he can abuse his powers and defy the checks and balances system.  One time that he did this was when he declared war on Korea and Vietnam without Congress' approval.

In 1973 Congress passed the War Powers Act which limits the President's authority to wage war.  It requires the President to notify Congress immediatly when troops are sent into battle.  Troops must be brought home after sixty days unless Congress gives its approval for them to stay longer.  This Act prevents the President from abusing his power like in the Korean and Vietnam war.

                    

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Links:
to view some of the commander in chief's written speeches,click here
to see what President Bush said to rally our troops at Travis Air Force Base click here.
President Bush talks to troops in Kosovo see it now by clicking here.

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