Question 32 of 100 · 2008 test
Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?
This question is from the 2008 test, which applies if you filed Form N-400 before Oct 20, 2025; later filers take the 2025 test of 128 questions - check your version on the official USCIS test-updates page.
Answer
- the President
Explanation
The President is the Commander in Chief of the U.S. military.
Why it matters
Civilian control of the armed forces is a core principle: an elected leader, not a general, commands the military.
The 65/20 special consideration
Question 32 is not in the 65/20 set. An applicant who is 65 or older and has been a lawful permanent resident for 20 years or more studies only the 20 marked questions, so this one would not be asked. Everyone else studies all 100.
Answers that get mixed up with this one
These are the wrong options the practice test puts beside this question. Each one is the correct answer to a different question, which is what makes it tempting.
- a change (to the Constitution)answers Question 4: What is an amendment?
- capitalist economyanswers Question 11: What is the economic system in the United States?
- give up loyalty to other countriesanswers Question 53: What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?
More System of Government questions
Questions the officer draws from the same part of the test. Studying them together is what keeps their answers apart.