Are soldiers today more politically conservative or liberal than soldiers 20 years ago?

2015-07-23T22:42:07-04:00

Response by SSG Izzy Abbass made Jul 23 at 2015 10:46 PM

2015-07-23T22:46:15-04:00

I think soldiers are still a reflection of society and I don't think they are any more or less conservative/liberal today.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 23 at 2015 10:51 PM

2015-07-23T22:51:13-04:00

Yes on both counts.

Troops are actually more "Center Line." Though the military tends to lean "slightly" Right, it is predominantly "Independent."

If you were to do a straight R/L comparison, you would end up with something like 40-45%L, 55-60%R, but when you account for an Independent or middle section, it's something akin to 30L, 35I, 35R. give or take 5%~ on all.

I want to say the Military Times did a survey about this about 6~ months ago (near the beginning of 2015).

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 23 at 2015 11:10 PM

2015-07-23T23:10:22-04:00

Probably the same. I had no idea when I was in active duty about conservative or progressive.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2015 11:36 PM

2015-07-23T23:36:31-04:00

I think military personnel have, by and large, been generally conservative throughout the last hundred and twenty years, going back to the Spanish-American War. Their very participation, certainly when it is voluntary, would tend to support this. Others may disagree. Truth is i can can go back in my mind through several consecutive assignments in the '70s, '80s, and '90s and I can count on both hands the number of Democrats I knew at each location. Since 2009, the number of Conservatives/Republicans has increased dramatically, I hasten to add, and for good reason.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jul 24 at 2015 1:47 AM

2015-07-24T01:47:27-04:00

Don't know about 20 years, but they are more conservative than 45 years ago when the draft took recruits regardless of political orientation. The all-volunteer force would tend to be more conservative, IMHO.

The biggest group is independent, however.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/04/01/iraq-and-afghan-vets-are-conservative-but-theyre-not-all-republicans/

Iraq and Afghan vets are conservative. But, they’re not all Republicans.

Independents make up the bulk of vets.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jul 24 at 2015 6:07 AM

2015-07-24T06:07:39-04:00

Honestly not sure. I cared the least about people's world views when I was in.