How many US troops are republican?

Question

I heard this biased statement somewhere by someone (lol). I just sorta wondered. I am joining the service but am more Liberal. I guess is there more republicans in the military? It is just I would like to see if it is true. Does the president's view (Democrat or Republican) determine what the future recruit's views are?

This questions wasn't based upon whether it would affect me joining or not. I AM joining. I was talking to my recruiter he seemed republican I just wondered. It felt like military is more republican. It is just a statistic...I wondered....can't I ask?

I believe in the spread of democracy.

Answer 1

Historically the conservative party is more pro-military and thus, naturally has higher enlistment numbers.

Answer 2

We are blessed to be in a military that is here to protect such freedom of views! While I cannot tell you any numbers, I have obviously seen a large number of Republicans among the enlisted and officer side, but I have also seen significant numbers of Democrats and others.

Unfortunately, many people outside the military have preconceived notions that all service members must be Republican- one of my best friends is about as "liberal" a Democrat as I know. What military members truly care about is a party who will take care of them! That is to say, a party that maintains our fighting force in a functional state.

Answer 3

A lot of enlisted people do so for financial reasons. Due to the US economic system, many of the lower financial rungs are poor and ethnic minorities. Middle income to lower income tend to vote Democratic, as do most ethnic minorities.

By the way, the Exit polls from 2004 showed 57% for Bush, Kerry 41%:

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/US/P/00/epolls.0.html

Most polls indicate that the GOP may lose the military vote, due to mishandling of the Iraq war.

Answer 4

i dont think it matters. whether the president is bush, clinton, reagan, or jimmy carter...the military has always done the mission required. obviously wesley clark is a democrat, but many soldiers fought under his command in kosovo. people in the military come from all works of life, so i doubt you will be too out of place. however, your personal views should always come second to your support for your country. even if your don't agree with the president, he is still the leader of your country, was democratically elected and deserves respect.

Answer 5

That statistic likely would be very tricky, if not illegal, to collect, for one reason or another (i.e. collection of partisan info on soldiers could lead to discrimination against soldiers for party affiliation, depending on what party is in power at the time.) So I don't think you'd ever be able to find out for sure.

It's *possible* that the president in power could inspire like-minded people to join the military (i.e. neoconservatives might feel inspired by Bush to enlist.) And certainly there is a partisan shuffle at the top of the military every time a new president is elected.

My guess is, when it comes to partisanship and political leanings, the military has a "don't ask, don't tell" policy. ;)

Answer 6

Ya know, you really should join the armed forces because you want to serve and protect your country, when you go into war, does it really matter if the guy next to you is a republican or a democrat? some things go WAY beyond party lines and this is defenitely one of them. Join because you want to serve and protect or don't join at all.
PS, Thinking as you do, you are not scoring any points for your party.

Answer 7

According to Military Times enlisted soldiers are 33% Republican 33% Democrat, and 33% Independent/Other.

Answer 8

The military vote usually leans for a stronger and more aggressive foreign policy. They usually like a President who will take care of and fund the troops.

I suspect a minority are actually Republicans, and maybe a larger minority are Democrats, and the remainder are Libertarian/Independent. But because they are the arm of the nation's foreign policy and are bred for combat, they will lean more for an aggressive foreign policy that protects America's interests while preserving the integrity of the United States military.

More often than not in recent years, the military vote votes Republican. They have trained to risk their lives to be placed in harm's way and they did not join just to sit there while America's influence in the world diminishes.

President's view does not affect this as much as training for combat does. Your entire tour you train for war. You train to fight for America and never back down for anything.

The military vote is usually by absentee ballot and the vote is confidential as it is in every election.

Answer 9

Does it really matter they are all there for the same reason i get so tired of "labeling"all we can do is pray for the best outcome for us ALL!Everyone has their own opinion so don't worry about it just be WHO you are and do the best you can when it comes to being in the military and someone "watching "your back it doesn't really matter what their political status is ! Good luck&god bless i am a military mom(USAF)whose son is in IRAQ !! GOD BLESS US ALL!!!

Answer 10

It has been reported that nearly 90% of the Military votes Republican. Why do you think Al Gore wanted all of those votes blocked. Carter and Clinton's huge cuts to the Military should be an indication.

Answer 11

Military families almost always lean to "conservative" principals. God, country and family. I"m not sure you can say one or the other what their political party affliation is. Democrats today are outright socialists and republicans are liberal compared to the meaning of the party and what it SHOULD stand for. The prez does determine future recruits as well as soldiers staying. Under clintong, the military lost MANY good commanders. Not that it's much better under bush, but many have stayed and or re-enlisted. Good luck.