Commander-in-Chief - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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 Queen'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]}

[1] Dupuy, Trevor N., Curt Johnson, and Grace P. Hayes. "Supreme Commander." Dictionary of Military Terms. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 1986.

[2] 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]}

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