Should all Presidents have served at least some time in the military?

Question

My thought is that if you're gonna command the armed forces, you should have at least served there.

Answer 1

So, since they are overseeing the State Department they should have been ambassadors ?
or since they oversee National Sec.Agency they should have been spies, spooks, intel folks ?

I am happy that whomever is President choses capable people in all positions the Executive is responsible for, and nominates the same for Judicial and other positions.

Answer 2

While I agree with the idea,in theory anyway,you might want to consider the people who would end up not being able to be president with such a requirement,including historically one Abraham Lincoln if I'm not mistaken. The military was set up from our founding under the concept that the final rulers of our military would be civilian leadership,whether they served is irrelevant. An argument could even be made against those who served in case they would be to influenced by that part of their lives when dealing with the military establishment,what if their service caused them to make decisions that were beneficial to the military at the expense of the civilian population?

AD

Answer 3

No, because that's a personal decision that everyone has to make for themselves. Just because you serve doesn't mean you'll be a better leader either.
If the CEO of Kroger was never a stock boy, does that mean he won't do a good job as the head of a national supermarket corporation?
If the CEO of General Motors never worked on a factory production line, does that mean he won't be an outstanding leader of a worlwide motor vehicle corporation?
There are many more aspects to being a good leader than just punching a ticket to get there.

Answer 4

No. A president doesn't sit in-office to make war..

As Commander in Chief of the armed forces, he is expected to discuss, listen and take advice from the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other military professionals on how a war should be fought.

The problem with the draft-dodging Mr. Bush is he thinks he knows it all....won't listen to anyone except Cheney (another draft dodger), Rummie (who never served a day) and others who agree with him.

He has our country in a real mess....our young people are dying over there in bunches, tens of thousands of Iraqis are dead (more than Saddam every killed) and when we leave, we will leave a country torn apart by civil war and a hotbed for every whacko terrorist in the world. Hasn't Bushie done just a super job......

Answer 5

Not necesarily. Example Andrew Jackson, George Washington, Dwight Eisenhower were good presidents and they served in the military. Zachary Taylor, Franklyn Pierce, George W. Bush were in the military and they all are lousey presidents. FDR did not serve, Lincoln served briefly in state militia, Woodrow Wilson, I believe, did not serve in the military they wer pretty good to great presidents. Most did. Military sevice really has made no difference.

Answer 6

As a veteran, I think so. Being commander in chief holds such weight...especially in sending young men and women to combat. Only by experiencing the military, in my belief, can one make a balanced, well thought out decision. The National Guard does not count....I'd love to see an enlisted man become President....wouldn't that change the perspective!!!

Answer 7

No, some of our best Presidents never served in Uniform

Answer 8

Yes that's the one thing the commander in chief has total control over how in the hell can one have control over something they have never been apart of. Yes they should. That's like saying I got promoted to police chief n never was a cop.

Answer 9

FDR was unable to serve, but he was a good wartime President.

Answer 10

Good wartime leaders may not always make good peacetime leaders.