The President and the military

The president is the commander in chief of our military, but the Congress holds the purse used to pay for military operations. If the president starts a military operation that is considered wrong by a majority in Congress, then Congress can cut off funds needed for it to continue. In other words, the president does not have unlimited war powers, and when it comes to committing the military it is not an action above review. The War Powers Act requires the president to get congressional approval before committing U.S. forces to military actions.

When you hear presidential candidates make comments about when to send U.S. troops, ships, or air assets to face an enemy, remember the War Powers limitation placed on the president states that forces can be authorized to defend themselves or in case of a national emergency created by attack upon the U.S., its territories or possessions, or its armed forces.

Watching the first presidential debate of the 2016 election and hearing the candidates make statements about what they would do if elected, it is important to realize our president is not a dictator, and the president's actions are subject to controls and limits placed on the president by the Congress, the Supreme Court and the Constitution. Further, the military cannot be ordered by any commander to violate the law, and military leaders are authorized to refuse to obey illegal orders.

While this is only one issue, keep these facts in mind to evaluate promises candidates make regarding the use of the military.

Jack Dragoni attended Boston College and served in the U.S. Army in Berlin and Vietnam. He lives in Chaffee, Missouri.