The Constitution requires civilian control of the military as part of what system?

• A. Checks and balances
• B. A military-led governance
• C. A purely legislative process
• D. An executive decree

Answer: (A)

Civilian control of the military is a key feature of the system of checks and balances that structure government power. It ensures that non-military leaders have ultimate authority over military policy and resources, preventing the armed forces from ruling the state. In practice, this means a civilian President (the Commander in Chief) and civilian-led institutions oversee military decisions, while Congress controls funding and authorization for military actions and conducts oversight. The judiciary can also review actions for constitutional questions. This layered oversight keeps power from concentrating in the hands of the military and requires collaboration among branches.

If power were military-led, or if governance were driven solely by legislation or by executive decrees, civilian oversight and independent checks would be bypassed, eroding the constitutional balance and accountability.