Did you Know 30 of the 43 Presidents served in the Army

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 01:11:05 -0500

24 during time of war, two earned the rank of 5-star General (President Washington and President Eisenhower) and one earned the Medal of Honor (President Theodore Roosevelt)

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2014 1:28 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 01:28:03 -0500

Now I know. Thanks for the military trivia fact :)

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jan 17 at 2014 9:10 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 09:10:40 -0500

Cool post -- I didn't know this, actually. I was a little surprised at first, to be honest with you.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2014 10:23 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 10:23:31 -0500

That is an interesting fact. Even though that this is a thread on Presidents who have served in the Army, I also want to point out the six Presidents who had served in the Navy. <br><br>http://www.history.navy.mil/Special%20Highlights/Presidents/index.html<br><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://www.history.navy.mil/images/logo2.jpg"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.history.navy.mil/Special Highlights/Presidents/index.html">Presidents Who Served in the Navy</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">Midway, commemoration information from the NHHC</div></div><div style="clear:both"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2014 2:44 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 14:44:54 -0500

I'd like to stir this pot a bit.  Most of these Presidents were citizen-soldiers in state militias prior to the Militia Act of 1903 which defined the modern relationship between what is now called the National Guard and the Regular Army.  Prior to the "Dick Act", the Army had surprisingly little oversight of the militias.  I'd say many of these Presidents served as soldiers.  They just didn't do it in the Army as we know it today.<br>

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2014 7:17 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 19:17:34 -0500

Except this one

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2014 7:18 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 19:18:47 -0500

Except this one

Response by PFC Eric Minchey made Jan 17 at 2014 8:49 PM

PFC Eric Minchey — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 20:49:43 -0500

As of the 2008
presidential election, no member of the U.S. Marine Corps or U.S.
Coast Guard has yet been elected President. The most frequent
military experience is Army/Army Reserve with 15 presidents, followed
by State Militias at 9, Navy/Naval Reserve at 6 and the Continental
Army with 2 presidents serving. The following list outlines the
military service of each president before becoming the commander in
chief.

List of Presidents of the United States by military service - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The United States Constitution names the President of the United States the commander in chief of the U.S. armed forces. However, previous service in the military is not a pre-requisite for the positi...

Response by PFC Eric Minchey made Jan 19 at 2014 1:37 AM

PFC Eric Minchey — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 01:37:24 -0500

Washington earned the rank of 6-star General of the Armies posthumously in 1976, as part of the
American bicentennial celebrations, to commemorate his leadership and
involvement in the founding of the United States. John J. Pershing
was also appointed to this rank in 1919 to honor his service in World
War I. Douglas MacArthur was also considered for appointment to the
rank, both during and after World War II, but a formal promotion
order for his appointment "to the office of General of the
Armies of the United States" was never issued.

Response by PFC Eric Minchey made Jan 19 at 2014 1:41 AM

PFC Eric Minchey — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 01:41:49 -0500

Theodore Roosevelt's Medal of Honor
Citation (awarded posthumously in 2001) - “Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt distinguished
himself by acts of bravery on 1 July, 1898, near Santiago de Cuba,
Republic of Cuba, while leading a daring charge up San Juan Hill.
Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt, in total disregard for his personal
safety, and accompanied by only four or five men, led a desperate and
gallant charge up San Juan Hill, encouraging his troops to continue
the assault through withering enemy fire over open countryside.
Facing the enemy's heavy fire, he displayed extraordinary bravery
throughout the charge, and was the first to reach the enemy trenches,
where he quickly killed one of the enemy with his pistol, allowing
his men to continue the assault. His leadership and valor turned the
tide in the Battle for San Juan Hill. Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt's
extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the
highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon
himself, his unit, and the United States Army.”

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2014 11:32 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 23:32:47 -0500

I'm running in 2052, your votes would be appreciated.