Can a Commander-in-Chief serve in the military (in Guard or Reserve Status) at the same time?

2015-06-29T20:24:22-04:00

Could a US President be in a Reserve or Guard status? Has this ever happened? Is it possible? If not, why not? If, hypothetically he or she did, then who would they answer to?

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Jun 29 at 2015 8:25 PM

2015-06-29T20:25:03-04:00

Yes, President Truman served in the Army Reserve as a Colonel while he was President. He served for a total of 37 years. He did this despite starting as a private in the National Guard and never finishing college!

More info:
https://www.trumanlibrary.org/lifetimes/military.htm
http://www.trumanlibrary.org/hstpaper/rg407.htm

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Jun 29 at 2015 8:25 PM

2015-06-29T20:25:39-04:00

I don't see how it could work.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2015 8:25 PM

2015-06-29T20:25:48-04:00

Like, who would give him/her orders?

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jun 29 at 2015 8:35 PM

2015-06-29T20:35:43-04:00

I am pretty sure that the POTUS cannot

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2015 10:31 PM

2015-06-29T22:31:34-04:00

Conflict of interest comes to mind, or at least fear of retribution for those who dare order him around.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Jun 30 at 2015 10:05 AM

2015-06-30T10:05:19-04:00

Technically, this would be possible. Many sitting elected officials are members of the reserve components. I know of no law that would specifically deny the President the ability to serve. Like any other serving member, they would answer to their chain of command....

That said, it would practically be a horrible, very bad, not good idea. First, there is an inherent conflict of interest (if nothing else, presidents approve promotion lists...). Second, there is the chain of command issue (as others have pointed out, bossing around the President, or issuing him a bad OER is probably going to end poorly...). Third, the job of President is more important than anything else this person can be doing with their time. If the President is spending enough time to maintain his military proficiency, what is not being done in its place? All of the above could be logically extended to anyone in elective office (and I do!), but with the President, it steps up several levels of magnitude.

Response by 1LT Aaron Barr made Jun 30 at 2015 10:17 AM

2015-06-30T10:17:25-04:00

I wouldn't have thought so given that the Constitution mandates civilian control over the military but it looks to me that that's not the case. Then again, George Washington led a force against the Whiskey Rebellion as President and was the only one to ever lead an army in the field so I guess so.

Response by SGT James Elphick made Jun 30 at 2015 12:05 PM

2015-06-30T12:05:53-04:00

Eisenhower resigned his commission as a 5-star but was re-instated by Kennedy after he left office

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 9:39 PM

2015-06-30T21:39:50-04:00

The British royals have always done it. Granted, we're not talking an actual elected government official. But the role they play is palpable throughout the Commonwealth.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 30 at 2015 10:30 PM

2015-06-30T22:30:53-04:00

Nothing prohibits it but it's more than a rank confusion problem. How can a military unit function when there's a 100+ man augment, screenings, etc. all bee hiving around and into everything? A good President wouldn't wish him/herself onto an organization like that.

Response by SrA David Steyer made Dec 2 at 2015 9:20 PM

2015-12-02T21:20:51-05:00

When John F Lehman was SECNAV he still held a commission in the Navy Reserve and I think when Donald Rumsfeld was the SECDEF the first time around I think he still held a commission in the Navy Reserve, or was IRR. Now, would it work for the president? Hmmm no idea.