Final answer:
The group of top military leaders from each branch of the U.S. armed forces is called the Joint Chiefs of Staff, which operates under the authority of the civilian-controlled government, with the President as Commander in Chief.
Step-by-step explanation:
The group of top military leaders from each branch of the U.S. armed forces is known as the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This body includes high-ranking officers from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, as well as the chair and vice chair. The president, as outlined in the Constitution, is the Commander in Chief of the armed forces and holds ultimate authority over these military leaders. As per Article 2 of the Constitution, even the highest-ranking military officers must answer to the elected civilian leadership. The principle of civilian control over the military ensures that the defense strategy and the use of the U.S. military forces are aligned with the democratically elected government's policies and decisions.