Don't you think that all U.S. Presidents should have served on active duty in the Military?

Question

I think before a President can order other men into mortal combat to kill or be killed, that he or she should have at least served on active duty in a branch of the miltary and showed up and not have lots of missing pages from his or her miltary record. If they are President then 3 Senators with good, clear military records should give the approval of the order to war. It seems unfair to send men and women into combat if you did not even show up for even the Air National Guard doesn't it?

Answer 1

Someone serving in the military has little bearing on their ability to be president. The decisions they make as president in a war have little to do with military tactics and more to do with politics.

As a Vet that was wounded in dervice, I have no problem serving under a Commander in Chief who has not served.

There are so many other things a president has to do. Should they also have to be a lawyer since they deal with the laws of the country. Should they have to be a doctor since they deal with health issues?

I am guessing you would vote for Hillary? She has no military experince.

Funny you didnt mention Clinton who sent our troops to battle in Somolia, Bosnia, He dodged the draft, Funny how you liberals forget those facts when you try to bash Bush

ADDITION: Do I think it would be a good thing? In someways, Should it be a requirement. Not a chance.

Just think if Patton would have made President. Fantastic Military leader a bit crazy though.

Answer 2

As there is no Draft in the U.S.A. at the moment and the U.S.A. has not been at war every day of its existence, or that this is not a requirement under the laws of the U.S.A. for a Presidential candidate, to have been an active combatant then you can think all you like, to use your system would mean that all men and women of the U.S.A. would have to serve in the military during a war.

Also by taking up your idea it would mean no woman could ever become a President because she would not have served in combat as its against the U.S. military regulations.

Its not practical or viable. With regards G.W.B. he was available but his particular unit, like many, in the Air National Guard was not deployed to Vietnam.

Why stop at the President why not go the whole hog and have a military junta run the country? simple: Because then Democracy goes out the window.

James S: the question was not posted to give you room for a rant about the qualities of a Communist Dictator. Which is a classic reason why not to have Military leaders running the country.

Answer 3

Given that logic, they should all be over 65 or they can't make decisions about social security. They should have all been pregnant or they can not decide whether or not abortion or fetal tissue research is appropriate. They should all have committed at least 2 crimes and possibly murder so they can comment on the death penalty and the three times your out rule.

If you want a person who has been in the military to be the president, then that is where you should place your vote.

Not everyone can have experience in every situation that the President has to make decisions about. That is why we all vote for the people we think will do the best job, given all the variables. We have to hope they have good advisors and that the "System of Checks and Balances" works.

Look at the people who are running for the office currently. If you can find any one of them who has enough experience in everything, AND you agree with their ideas, then you have found someone running I haven't seen yet!

Answer 4

Since very few men and even fewer women have served in the military since the draft ended this would disqualify almost everyone. Having actual experience in combat might give leader some extra insight, but just being in the military doesn't really provide valuable experience.

Answer 5

1- A war has to be approved by the US Congress period the best a president can do is sent troops out for 90 days 2- learn your history some off the best president never served example Roosevelt (due to polio) The qualities of a president have nothing to do with them serving the country in the military it is in the man something that seams to have been forgotten in a few newer elections by the people

Answer 6

The notion that one has to have served in the military in order to be cognizant of the ramifications of war is absurd.

Thankfully, the intelligence of our presidents isn't limited to their own personal experiences. If it were, we'd need a thousand different presidents.

Answer 7

Yes, I do agree, at least that it is wrong for anyone to order men into action who has no military experience.
This is where the Commies are so far ahead of the West.
Mao Tse Tung was a real fighting leader, who deserved the respect and devotion of the Red Army and of his people, when he finally gained power. Because of his extremism (the Cultural Revolution) he has fallen from favour, but it is my strong belief that he should be kept as China's inspiration and that the present government should stick to Marxist ideals, without unnecessary aggression toward Taiwan.

Answer 8

I completely agree with you! This is crazy. you make a very good suggestion. The president or 3 Senators sound reasonable to me!

Answer 9

Every body Knows that Bush dodged being deployed with platoon , That has been proven .(to those who bother to research the records and not just listen to the Spin)A president should not be able send our troops into harms way he believes that God put him office to usher in Armageddon or if his I-Q is the same as his shoe size.!

Answer 10

Don't worry.
They too are in active service.
Not in the fields
But on the drawing board with the war games too
Except they only blow the whistle.
To turn left or right.
What do you think?