<Tr> <Td> Seaman </Td> <Td> Private or Trooper </Td> <Td> Aircraftman </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="3"> Talk View </Td> </Tr> <P> A commander - in - chief is the person or body that exercises supreme operational command and control of a nation's military forces or significant elements of those forces . In the latter case, the force element is those forces within a particular region, or associated by function . As a practical term, it refers to military competencies that reside in a nation - state's executive leadership--either a head of state, a head of government, a minister of defence, a national cabinet, or some other collegial body . Often, a given country's commander - in - chief (if held by an official) need not be or have been a commissioned officer or even a veteran . In these countries this follows the principle of civilian control of the military . </P> <P> The role of commander - in - chief derives from the Latin, imperator . Imperatores of the Roman Republic and Roman Empire possessed imperium (command) powers . In its modern use, the term first applied to King Charles I of England in 1639 . It continued to be used during the English Civil War . A nation's head of state (monarchical or republican) usually holds the nominal position of commander - in - chief, even if effective executive power is held by a separate head of government . In a parliamentary system, the executive branch is ultimately dependent upon the will of the legislature; although the legislature does not issue orders directly to the armed forces and therefore does not control the military in any operational sense . Governors - general and colonial governors are also often appointed commander - in - chief of the military forces within their territory . </P>

Is the president in charge of the military