What's the relationship between the executive branch and the military?

I've been learning about the U.S. government in my civics class, and we've been discussing the executive branch's role. I was wondering how that ties into the military? Are they in charge or control the military? Does this affect a career in military? What responsibilities would this entail?

The Executive Branch of the U.S. government, headed by the President, does play a vital role in military affairs. Under the Constitution, the President holds the title of 'Commander in Chief' of the Armed Forces, which include the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force. This means that the President is the highest-ranking official in the military structure.

As Commander in Chief, the President is responsible for all final decisions related to the country's defense and military strategy. They have the authority to order military operations, decide where troops will be deployed, and what missions they will carry out. They can also call for the creation of long-range policies and plans that dictate the strategy for future conflicts.

However, the President doesn't make these decisions alone. They are assisted by the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff who are the highest-ranking military officers of each branch of the military. These advisors provide expert advice and insights, which the President considers before making decisions.

When it comes to affecting a career in the military, changes in the executive branch can influence the overall strategic direction, military budget, and focus. However, it most likely won't directly impact individual service members' day-to-day duties.

In your role as a potential military serviceman or servicewoman, your immediate responsibilities and tasks would be much more influenced by your specific job within the military, such as your military occupation specialty in the Army, or your rate in the Navy, than by the executive branch. Yet, over time, larger strategy shifts could mean changes in where you're deployed or what your missions might look like.