32
32
0
Of all the 44 Presidents this great country has had, do you think the ones with prior military service have proven to be the best ones? And if you want please name your favorite. Mine. Bush Sr.
Posted in these groups: 
Politics
Office of the President (POTUS)
Politics Office of the President (POTUS)
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 129
3
3
0
I've had some exemplary leaders in the military, and some that couldn't lead a dog on a leash.
As far as Presidents, Ronald Reagan had minimal service, and was the best President of my lifetime. Jimmy Carter had Naval Academy, and was terrible.
Bill Clinton had none, but committed crimes with subordinates, that would have had placed any uniformed servicemember in Leavenworth. Barack Obama, the jury is still out on him, but I'm not overly impressed.
Likewise, someone who was a great leader in the MIlitary did not impress me with his civilian leadership as Secretary of State...Colin Powell. I think he is a "go along to get along..." This disappoints me, because I really wanted him in the position.
I will always give deference to someone who served, but as far as I am concerned, their views on the Constitution trump everything. .
As far as Presidents, Ronald Reagan had minimal service, and was the best President of my lifetime. Jimmy Carter had Naval Academy, and was terrible.
Bill Clinton had none, but committed crimes with subordinates, that would have had placed any uniformed servicemember in Leavenworth. Barack Obama, the jury is still out on him, but I'm not overly impressed.
Likewise, someone who was a great leader in the MIlitary did not impress me with his civilian leadership as Secretary of State...Colin Powell. I think he is a "go along to get along..." This disappoints me, because I really wanted him in the position.
I will always give deference to someone who served, but as far as I am concerned, their views on the Constitution trump everything. .
(3)
(0)
SSG Gerhard S.
MSG Gregg Winn Just a little info regarding Ronald Reagan's Military experience. It's not as thin as most people believe.
"Ronald Wilson Reagan enrolled in a series of home-study Army Extension Courses on 18 March 1935. After completing 14 of the courses, he enlisted in the Army Enlisted Reserve on 29 April 1937, as a Private assigned to Troop B, 322nd Cavalry at Des Moines, Iowa. He was appointed Second Lieutenant in the Officers Reserve Corps of the Cavalry on 25 May 1937. On June 18 of that year Reagan, who had just moved to Los Angeles to begin his film career, accepted his Officer’s Commission and was assigned to the 323rd Cavalry.
Lieutenant Reagan was ordered to active duty on 19 April 1942. Due to eyesight difficulties, he was classified for limited service only, which excluded him from serving overseas. His first assignment was at the San Francisco Port of Embarkation at Fort Mason, California, as liaison officer of the Port and Transportation Office. Upon the request of the Army Air Forces (AAF), he applied for a transfer from the Cavalry to the AAF on 15 May 1942; the transfer was approved on 9 June 1942. He was assigned to AAF Public Relations and subsequently to the 1st Motion Picture Unit in Culver City, California. Reagan was promoted to First Lieutenant on 14 January 1943 and was sent to the Provisional Task Force Show Unit of This Is The Army at Burbank, California. Following this duty, he returned to the 1st Motion Picture Unit, and on 22 July 1943 was promoted to Captain.
In January 1944, Captain Reagan was ordered to temporary duty in New York City to participate in the opening of the sixth War Loan Drive. He was assigned to the 18th AAF Base Unit, Culver City, California on 14 November 1944, where he remained until the end of the war. He was recommended for promotion to Major on 2 February 1945, but this recommendation was disapproved on July 17 of that year. On 8 September 1945, he was ordered to report to Fort MacArthur, California, where he was separated from active duty on 9 December 1945.
While on active duty with the 1st Motion Picture Unit and the 18th Army Air Forces Base Unit, Captain Reagan served as Personnel Officer, Post Adjutant, and Executive Officer. By the end of the war, his units had produced some 400 training films for the Army Air Forces.
Reagan’s Reserve Commission automatically terminated on 1 April 1953. However, he became Commander-in-Chief of all U.S. Armed Forces when he became President on 20 January 1981."
"Ronald Wilson Reagan enrolled in a series of home-study Army Extension Courses on 18 March 1935. After completing 14 of the courses, he enlisted in the Army Enlisted Reserve on 29 April 1937, as a Private assigned to Troop B, 322nd Cavalry at Des Moines, Iowa. He was appointed Second Lieutenant in the Officers Reserve Corps of the Cavalry on 25 May 1937. On June 18 of that year Reagan, who had just moved to Los Angeles to begin his film career, accepted his Officer’s Commission and was assigned to the 323rd Cavalry.
Lieutenant Reagan was ordered to active duty on 19 April 1942. Due to eyesight difficulties, he was classified for limited service only, which excluded him from serving overseas. His first assignment was at the San Francisco Port of Embarkation at Fort Mason, California, as liaison officer of the Port and Transportation Office. Upon the request of the Army Air Forces (AAF), he applied for a transfer from the Cavalry to the AAF on 15 May 1942; the transfer was approved on 9 June 1942. He was assigned to AAF Public Relations and subsequently to the 1st Motion Picture Unit in Culver City, California. Reagan was promoted to First Lieutenant on 14 January 1943 and was sent to the Provisional Task Force Show Unit of This Is The Army at Burbank, California. Following this duty, he returned to the 1st Motion Picture Unit, and on 22 July 1943 was promoted to Captain.
In January 1944, Captain Reagan was ordered to temporary duty in New York City to participate in the opening of the sixth War Loan Drive. He was assigned to the 18th AAF Base Unit, Culver City, California on 14 November 1944, where he remained until the end of the war. He was recommended for promotion to Major on 2 February 1945, but this recommendation was disapproved on July 17 of that year. On 8 September 1945, he was ordered to report to Fort MacArthur, California, where he was separated from active duty on 9 December 1945.
While on active duty with the 1st Motion Picture Unit and the 18th Army Air Forces Base Unit, Captain Reagan served as Personnel Officer, Post Adjutant, and Executive Officer. By the end of the war, his units had produced some 400 training films for the Army Air Forces.
Reagan’s Reserve Commission automatically terminated on 1 April 1953. However, he became Commander-in-Chief of all U.S. Armed Forces when he became President on 20 January 1981."
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
I think, yes. I answered yes because a prior service President won't have the wool pulled over their eyes, like our current president. Johnson was a farce. Gen.Westmoreland told him what he wanted to hear. He didn't know how to handle that war. The only thing he was sure of was all those dollars he was getting for having Brown & Root stock. He did serve in the Navy Reserve: from what I read, he lied about a combat mission he was on. I know this isn't about LBJ, but I detest that liar.
After America entered World War II in December 1941, Johnson, still in Congress, became a commissioned officer in the Naval Reserve, then asked Undersecretary of the Navy James Forrestal for a combat assignment.[23] He was sent instead to inspect the shipyard facilities in Texas and on the West Coast. In the spring of 1942, President Roosevelt needed his own reports on what conditions were like in the Southwest Pacific. Roosevelt felt information that flowed up the military chain of command needed to get delivered by a highly trusted political aide. From a suggestion by Forrestal, President Roosevelt assigned Johnson to a three-man survey team of the Southwest Pacific.[24]
Johnson reported to General Douglas MacArthur in Australia. Johnson and two Army officers went to the 22nd Bomb Group base, which was assigned the high risk mission of bombing the Japanese airbase at Lae in New Guinea. A colonel took Johnson's allocated seat on one bomber, and it was shot down with no survivors. Reports vary on what happened to the B-26 Marauder carrying Johnson. He said it was also attacked by Japanese fighters but survived, while others, including other members of the flight crew, claim it turned back because of generator trouble before reaching the objective and before encountering enemy aircraft and never came under fire; this is supported by official flight records.[25] Other airplanes that continued to the target did come under fire near the target at about the same time that Johnson's plane was recorded as having landed back at the original airbase. MacArthur awarded Johnson the Silver Star, the military's third-highest medal.[25]
After America entered World War II in December 1941, Johnson, still in Congress, became a commissioned officer in the Naval Reserve, then asked Undersecretary of the Navy James Forrestal for a combat assignment.[23] He was sent instead to inspect the shipyard facilities in Texas and on the West Coast. In the spring of 1942, President Roosevelt needed his own reports on what conditions were like in the Southwest Pacific. Roosevelt felt information that flowed up the military chain of command needed to get delivered by a highly trusted political aide. From a suggestion by Forrestal, President Roosevelt assigned Johnson to a three-man survey team of the Southwest Pacific.[24]
Johnson reported to General Douglas MacArthur in Australia. Johnson and two Army officers went to the 22nd Bomb Group base, which was assigned the high risk mission of bombing the Japanese airbase at Lae in New Guinea. A colonel took Johnson's allocated seat on one bomber, and it was shot down with no survivors. Reports vary on what happened to the B-26 Marauder carrying Johnson. He said it was also attacked by Japanese fighters but survived, while others, including other members of the flight crew, claim it turned back because of generator trouble before reaching the objective and before encountering enemy aircraft and never came under fire; this is supported by official flight records.[25] Other airplanes that continued to the target did come under fire near the target at about the same time that Johnson's plane was recorded as having landed back at the original airbase. MacArthur awarded Johnson the Silver Star, the military's third-highest medal.[25]
(3)
(0)
MAJ Ronnie Reams
Later Dugout Doug, my uncle called him that when he was in the 26th US Cav (PS), said Johnson had the most undeserved SS in the SW Pacific Theater.
(1)
(0)
3
3
0
From this point forward...Every Candidate for President should have served in Uniform in my opinion...It's all about having a history, dedication and prior oath to Service to Our Country.
(3)
(0)
SPC Rob Durling
I don't necessarily disagree with your opinion, Cap. However, there are many ways to serve one's country without wearing the uniform. Anyway, I prefer not messing with the Constitution on this one; there is no way I want our country turning into a militarocracy!
(2)
(0)
Capt Layne Barrack
Thank you Specialist Durling for the thoughtful response: We swear an Oath to defend the Constitution of Our United States. No need to defend against a "militarocracy" as you put it....the folks that vote (and this time around in 2016....there should be a lot of us) will make things plain as to who should lead our country...Get out there and VOTE!! Thank you for your service, Soldier, doc in Galveston
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
I'm going to say that being in the military wouldn't make you a great President, but it would definitely help in the leadership department! Saying that, I realize that not every high ranking General/Admiral should go run for office... Remember Admiral Stockdell?
(3)
(0)
TSgt (Join to see)
The problem with Admiral Stockdale was due to everything he endured in the Hanoi Hilton. The treatment and torture he endured should be something that no man should ever go through. His mental capacity was completely diminished. He was a poor choice to run with Perot for that very reason.
(2)
(0)
3
3
0
I feel that in order to effectively lead the nation and more specifically the military in the role of Commander in Chief of all the U.S. military forces a President should have spent some time in the military. Experience in understanding what he/she is asking of the military when they order them into action, into harms way and potentially ordering them to their death is something I would like to see the President have.
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
Yes, I do! Should be a requirement to serve as Commander in Chief of our armed forces.
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
It's a jaded question.
This is like asking troops if they want skip field day.
The vast majority of our Presidents have had military service. Additionally, the only President to ever resign had military service. 50% of the Presidents to be Impeached were in the military.
This is like asking troops if they want skip field day.
The vast majority of our Presidents have had military service. Additionally, the only President to ever resign had military service. 50% of the Presidents to be Impeached were in the military.
(3)
(0)
(2)
(0)
SSG Gerhard S.
On a side note, SSG Adam Reed.... though I am in agreement with you on John Adams, I would respectfully disagree with the idea that FDR was one of our best Presidents. Mainly because of his drive to increase the size, scope and powers of the Federal government at all cost, and to the detriment of the States and of the people. Also, his quest for a more socialistic America led to economic policies that likely dragged on our great depression far longer than was necessary.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
When Presidents have military experience they have the common sense to let generals fight the wars---When they have no military experience, wars are fought by lawyers and young people will die unnecessarily. THAT ABOUT SUMS IT UP.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
I would say as a general statement, yes a veteran would make a better president. But, with that being said I think that some "veterans" did not take the training given the most effort and to them it is just a category they fit in. I have ALWAYS felt that the individual in charge, the Commander in Chief, should have military experience, so that he/she is not leading a military blindly and without knowledge of how things work.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
Absolutely! Dwight D. Eisenhower is one example. Reagan and Bush senior are others. Teddy Roosevelt as well. The use of military force is one of the many tools available to the President. The only way that actually works is if the President is familiar with that tool, and how to use it. You wouldn't expect a man that has never held a hammer to build you a house. You also wouldn't expect someome that has zero knowledge what the use of military force looks like to effectively wield it. The current administration is a good example of that. Deaths in Afghanistan and Iraq increased after over restrictive ROE's were put in place because lack of comprehension in warfighting. A veteran would not have had that problem.
(2)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google