Acommander-in-chief is thecommander of a nation'smilitary forces. Some country's commander-in-chief does not need to have been a soldier or involved in the military. The term was first used byKing Charles I of England in 1639.
Commanders-in-Chief is sometimes referred to asSupreme Commander, which is sometimes used as a specific term.[1]
The title Commander-in-Chief is rarely used by the King orQueen of England, but usually refers to local commanders-in-chief.
After independence from Britain on August 15, 1947, each Service was given its own Chief Commander (navy, army, airforce).
Before 1979, theShah was the commander-in-chief in Iran. After the creation of the Islamic Republic, theSupreme Leader of Iran has taken on the role.
In Ireland, the commander-in-chief of the army is thePresident.
In Pakistan, the President is by law the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, however the elected Prime Minister has the real power.
When Hong Kong was a British colony the Governor was also the Commander-in-Chief of Hong Kong.
