During the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), the title was Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.

In 1783, the title was simplified to Senior Officer of the United States Army.

In 1821, the title was changed to Commanding General of the United States Army.

The office was often referred to by various other titles, such as "Major General Commanding the Army" or "General-in-Chief".

From 1789 until its abolition in 1903, the position of commanding general was legally subordinate to the United States Secretary of War; (senior member of the President's Cabinet), but was replaced by the creation of the statutory Chief of Staff of the Army by action of the United States Congress in 1903, under the 26th President Theodore Roosevelt (1901–1909).