The Commander-in-Chief determines the duties of the Defence Force as from time to time, and may at any time order that the whole or any part of the Defence Force shall be deployed out of or beyond Botswana.
The Defence Council is responsible for the control, direction and general superintendence of the Defence Force. Members of the Defence Council are appointed by the President and the Commander is and ex-officio member. Currently it consists of Members of Parliament and Cabinet Members.
The Commander of the BDF is vested with the strategic and operational command of the Defence Force.