Clarification needed on government leadership in Military

So, we've been learning about government organization and leadership in AP Gov, but I'm still a bit confused about something: Which branch of the U.S federal government has the primary responsibility for leading the military? Doesn’t each branch have pretty distinct roles? Thanks for the help!

The U.S. federal government's leadership and organization of the military are actually divided among the three branches in distinctive ways, with particular responsibilities assigned to each.

Firstly, the Executive Branch, specifically the President, serves as the Commander in Chief of the armed forces. This allows the President to command the military during wartime and make certain military decisions. However, the President cannot declare war; that power is reserved for Congress.

Secondly, the Legislative Branch, specifically Congress, has the carefully balanced responsibility of declaring war. Additionally, they control the military budget and can use this power to influence military policy. They also have the responsibility of overseeing, investigating, and making decisions regarding military matters, which takes place through specific committees.

Lastly, the Judicial Branch plays a lesser role in leading the military. It is primarily responsible for interpreting laws related to military issues and hearing cases that involve military personnel or decisions.

However, it's also crucial to note that while these branches have shared oversight over the military, the Department of Defense (a component of the executive branch) plays a significant role in the day-to-day operations and organization of the military. The Secretary of Defense, who is appointed by the President with Senate approval, oversees the Department of Defense.Yes, each branch of the military has different roles, missions, and cultures, but they all report up to the Department of Defense, and ultimately to the President acting as the Commander in Chief. This includes the six branches: Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force.

So overall, the U.S. military's leadership and direction is a combined effort from both the Executive and Legislative branches, with the Department of Defense handling the practical operations.