How important is military experience if you want to be Commander in Chief (i.e., President)?
And what type of military experience would be most valuable, in your opinion?
Let’s see. Abraham Lincoln had minimal experience as an elected Captain in the Illinois militia for about two months, and led us through the Civil War.
Woodrow Wilson never served and led us through WWI.
Franklin Roosevelt couldn’t have served due to polio, and led America the the brink of victory in World War II.
Harry S. Truman served as an artillery Captain in WWI, and finished WWII and stood up to defend democracy in Korea.
Dwight D. Eisenhower was career military and probably the most boring president ever.
John F. Kennedy served in WWII as a PT Boat commander, and got us involved in Vietnam.
Lyndon Johnson never served, and escalated Vietnam while imposing ridiculous rules of engagement.
George H.W. Bush served as a Navy fighter pilot in WWII and is probably best known for listening to his generals in planning Desert Storm.
His son didn’t listen to anyone. He was an Air National Guard pilot. Allegedly.
The current President never served, but seems to be listening to experts when it comes to defense issues.
I’ve left out Presidents who didn’t deal with major wars. Carter was a Navy submariner, Reagan and Army Reservist who made movies, and Nixon had an interesting career in uniform.
The short answer is it’s the man, and how he takes advice from experts. I spent 23 years in uniform, serving in combat and advisory roles around the world. Doesn’t make me the man to talk to about deploying a carrier battle group and a MEU.
February 6th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
A naval commander should be a primary candidate.
Those guys play thermo-nuclear war in their dreams.
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February 6th, 2010 at 11:59 pm
Real important…present company (BO) NOT excluded. I take your question on click farther, the guy needs some business background too.
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February 7th, 2010 at 12:47 am
No experience required, that is what you have Generals for
You need a brain that can solve conflict without loss of life, how to fire a gun doesn’t help
How could anyone disagree?
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February 7th, 2010 at 1:11 am
The particular type of expierence is not as important as the fact that you did a job where you understood that you could be sent into harms way – and might not come back.
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February 7th, 2010 at 1:36 am
I don’t know if military experience is important, but he should have enough military knowledge to know if his military commanders are following the right strategy.
I believe that Lincoln, who had very little military experience, educated himself enough on military matters that he knew what the correct military strategy was to win the Civil War and knew when he finally got the right man (Grant)
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February 7th, 2010 at 1:48 am
Let’s see. Abraham Lincoln had minimal experience as an elected Captain in the Illinois militia for about two months, and led us through the Civil War.
Woodrow Wilson never served and led us through WWI.
Franklin Roosevelt couldn’t have served due to polio, and led America the the brink of victory in World War II.
Harry S. Truman served as an artillery Captain in WWI, and finished WWII and stood up to defend democracy in Korea.
Dwight D. Eisenhower was career military and probably the most boring president ever.
John F. Kennedy served in WWII as a PT Boat commander, and got us involved in Vietnam.
Lyndon Johnson never served, and escalated Vietnam while imposing ridiculous rules of engagement.
George H.W. Bush served as a Navy fighter pilot in WWII and is probably best known for listening to his generals in planning Desert Storm.
His son didn’t listen to anyone. He was an Air National Guard pilot. Allegedly.
The current President never served, but seems to be listening to experts when it comes to defense issues.
I’ve left out Presidents who didn’t deal with major wars. Carter was a Navy submariner, Reagan and Army Reservist who made movies, and Nixon had an interesting career in uniform.
The short answer is it’s the man, and how he takes advice from experts. I spent 23 years in uniform, serving in combat and advisory roles around the world. Doesn’t make me the man to talk to about deploying a carrier battle group and a MEU.
References :