Do Veterans make better Presidents?

I think any President who has at least served in the military understands the challenges facing his military leadership and perhaps then in turn would be more willing to offer a strong backing of the military. This may not make him of her a better president over all but in my eyes I welcome a strong Commander-in-Chief who understands what it's like to walk in our boots.

Yes. My opinion is how can you be over the military and don't truly understand how the military works.

I think the skill sets and the experience gained while serving can successfully be applied to every facet of being a good President. The leadership, communication and problem solving skills along with honor, integrity, unwavering principles and the ability to manage people with wide ranging personality types. Where is the down side?

I do think that having service under your belt should,make for a better president. At least they would have an idea of what men and women go through while serving and also they did their time for the country.

I think so and If I could run for office I would,just probably wouldn't survive very long with the changes I would incorporate...

Well, two of my favorite presidents are Dwight D. Eisenhower and Teddy Roosevelt, both veterans. But being a veteran is not enough. A veteran makes a great president if they understand how undesirable war is, and how it should be the last resort to any situation. A veteran makes a great president if they carry over their desire to serve the American people before their own interests. A veteran makes a great president if they uphold their oath to protect and defend the constitution above all else, and place it over their own ideologies and beliefs, especially when it comes to the amendments. A veteran makes a great president if they remember that the American populace is very diverse, and you must serve those you disagree with as well, and take into account all Americans', in conjunction with the constitution, regardless of personal belief.

I have met many a veteran that embodies these traits. I have also met many a veteran that is the opposite of these traits. Being a veteran is not enough, you must be a servant to America, disregarding what you want and believe in favor of her and her peoples' interests.

I will just say this and please do not make an inference from my statement, but if we had a President who is a veteran in some form or manner, he or she might care more about service members and veterans. Also, whoever is President and is veteran would never suggest that service members should pay for their health care. In addition, if there were more congressional officers who are veterans, they might think twice before slowly chipping away at our benefits.

Being in the military CAN'T make them a better President but it should be a requirement to BE a President. Whoever is in charge of our military should, at least, have military experience. Only someone who has worn the uniform knows about the flaws, quirks, accomplishments of our soldiers.

Although one might think the automatic answer to this question is resoundingly yes, a quick scan of the photo (far Right) may shed some doubt. Let's not forget President Carter was a Naval Officer and is (or was) considered one (1) of the worst Commander's in Chief on record (or certainly in the modern age). I still have to say in most cases, the answer is yes. When you look at a business, the most successful CEOs have climbed the ladder and have a broad knowledge of the industry. The Captain of a ship has worked his way up from Ensign, etc...

How can a leader be truly that, having never experienced that which they would lead?!

If you look at the list of Presidents who have served, 27 have some type of military service. From Washington to G.W. Bush.

http://www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/20110221a.asp

The above link lists all of the presidents who have served, and in what capacity. My favorite president personally was Harry S. Truman. I am glad that when it came time to make the decision as to whether or not to use nuclear weapons on Japan, that the person ultimately responsible was someone with an understanding of war.

I do not necessarily think that military service in its own right will make someone a better president, but it does show a prior dedication to serving the nation. What I really think would make a better president is a person who remembers that holding the office of president is a service to the nation.