How much power does the president really have over the military?

People say that the president is the most powerful person in the world because he controls the military. But how much control does he really have. Can he just say, "go to war with this country tomorrow" if he feels like it? Can he command them to all stand in a line and do the cabbage patch to MC Hammer music?How much power does the president really have over the military?As most of everyone has said the President can send ANY of the military anywhere any time he wants, but for only 179 days at a time without the approval of Congress. Any time over 180 days needs the approval of Congress. I'm not going into the Bush thing because I'm not typing a 24 page paper.



The other thing is that only Congress can declare war. The president cannot declare war. Its all in the Constitution.



The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the military. Although he relies on his Generals of all branches to control of the day to day business. As to the cabbage patch, no, its to dumb to waste training time on. I would have disobeyed that order. My guys had more important stuff to do.How much power does the president really have over the military?
Our government is a system of checks and balances. The president is part of the executive branch and does have some authority to send the military, within limits on certain missions. Anything larger than that...such as our situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, he has to get the approval of Congress. He cannot just "start a war" if he feels like it. Also, whatever Congress approves (legislative branch) has to also be legal.How much power does the president really have over the military?By the chain of command, he is the most important person. However, his powers are limited by Congress. The president can't declare war without Congressional approval and major changes to military regulations go through Congress as well. Some mistakenly think the president is all-powerful (the main reason many blame Iraq on former President Bush) but he has his limits. Congress voted to go to war with Iraq but some people forget this and assume it was all because of Bush. Anybody who passed US history would know this.



As for doing the Cabbage Patch dance (never heard of it) to MC Hammer music, he could, in theory. However, such a thing would possibly be considered degrading and demoralizing, which might not be a legal order. In the army leaders are no longer authorized to force troops to do demeaning tasks such as cleaning buildings with a toothbrush and it is actually written in the UCMJ that way.
He can use troops but there are limits. The War Powers Act is used to limit the time he can dispatch troops without congressional approval, and congress controls spending so the military will run out of money unless they approve.

He could start a war and force congress to approve it, but that is very risky.How much power does the president really have over the military?We went war with Iraq with out the complete approval from congress and Nato because Bush wanted to. A lot of the top positions in the military were forced to retire when they said it wasnt a good idea to invade. He filled the seats with his supporters. He can pretty much have "his" military do what he wants.How much power does the president really have over the military?
The military is constitutionally under civilian control. The President does not much involve himself in how the military is run on a daily basis. But he can send them anywhere he wants them, Congress doesn't have to approve things for somehting like 90 days.
He is the highest ranking officer in the military. All of the branches of service are under his control. No he cant declare war but he sure as hell could provoke one. If he likes MC hammer then by god we will have to rock the parachute pants yet again.How much power does the president really have over the military?
He has to get authorization from Congress to go to war. Other than that he has pretty much complete control over the military. He is the Commander in Chief. So, yes to the cabbage patch.



Me, SSG USA
The President can only send Marines wherever he really wants....sure not war but military action.
He can send troops but can't declare war; only Congress can declare an official war.
not much