Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces. Some country's commander-in-chief does not need to have been a soldier or involved in the military. The term was first used by King Charles I of England in 1639.
Commanders-in-Chief is sometimes referred to as Supreme Commander, which is sometimes used as a specific term.[1]
Australia
[change | change source]The role of command in chief is done by the Governor-General of Australia as the King’s representative.[2]
United Kingdom
[change | change source]The title Commander-in-Chief is rarely used by the King or Queen of England, but usually refers to local commanders-in-chief.
India
[change | change source]After independence from Britain on August 15, 1947, each Service was given its own Chief Commander (navy, army, airforce).
Iran
[change | change source]Before 1979, the Shah was the commander-in-chief in Iran. After the creation of the Islamic Republic, the Supreme Leader of Iran has taken on the role.
Ireland
[change | change source]In Ireland, the commander-in-chief of the army is the President.
Pakistan
[change | change source]In Pakistan, the President is by law the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, however the elected Prime Minister has the real power.
Hong Kong
[change | change source]When Hong Kong was a British colony the Governor was also the Commander-in-Chief of Hong Kong.
United States of America
[change | change source]Commander-in-chief is one of the many roles given to the president of the United States
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Dupuy, Trevor N., Curt Johnson, and Grace P. Hayes. "Supreme Commander." Dictionary of Military Terms. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 1986.
- ↑ Address by HE the Rt Hon. Sir Ninian Stephen, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, on the occasion of the graduation of course no. 27/83 of the Joint Services Staff College, Canberra, on Tuesday, 12 June 1983: The Governor-General as Commander-in-Chief[permanent dead link]