Why?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Some of the best presidents never served military time, including Lincoln and Kennedy. But I definitely see your point. If the president is going to send people off to war, then he/she needs to know what war is like.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

You're kidding right? JFK is well known for being a Naval Lieutenant who served in World War II. Also, Lincoln was a militia man...but if you are being sarcastic (the troll face), then well done.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I agree to this, to an extent. One of the President's many titles is "Commander in Chief" of the armed forces, and he/she should have some understanding of how the armed forces operate.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

If the job doesn't have an extreme relation to military, they shouldn't. But, as Stepharoo said, the president should have some understanding of the military. Maybe not SERVE, but have extensive knowledge.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

So someone running for a school board needs to have a military background? I don't see how that's relevant...

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Hmmm... that's an interesting point of which I am undecided on. It'd be hard for the president to know what war is like if he didn't serve, but some are saying that he must have an extensive knowledge of it. That might work, but things are often very different in theory.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I think the group of people identified is too broad; if your public service position doesn't deal with military matters, it's irrelevant. However, even in those cases it might be a good idea to have non-military people involved, if for no reason but different points of view on a situation. Ancient man was ruled by whomever won the most battles, but things aren't so simple now, and military action isn't always the answer.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I totally agree that the PRESIDENT--and maybe some of Congress--needs to have served at some point. But not every office.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Anyone who has control over the armed forces should have served at least once.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Guess people who aren't physically fit enough or have ankle/knee problems can never dream of trying to head our country in the right direction.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

They could always join the Air Force.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Kinda hard to go through bootcamp with a bad knee or ankle. Every branch of the military has bootcamp.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Sucks to be you, FDR!

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I completely agree with this post. Not only because they need to know what war is like in order to be in charge of the armed forces, but because they need to know what life is really like. They need to understand that they are controlling people... LIVES, and not numbers, and they need to understand that while they're in their nice, cozy office, passing bills about international policy, that not everything is so black and white.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I couldn't have said it any better myself.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

i posted this as a result of the opinions i have formed from being in the military. and just seeing some of the decisions that are being made right now by the people in power just seems completely senseless. most of the people i associate with in my banch are some of the most straightforward people. something the military teaches you, in my opinion, is to JUST DO IT. if it's for thegood of the nation, then do it. if you get flak for it,then fine. one example is this whole healthcare issue. it's already starting to go down the tubes and it's only an infant. i could have told someone to avoid socialized medicine. just go to any military base's hospital, and you'll see what i'm talking about. it's always way overcrowded, waits are forever, etc. the military gives you a strong work ethic, and a real sense of patriotism. you really care about the people around you. you aren't interested in 'politics,' as much as you are in what you can do for your country. thats what my opinion is.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Just on the military hospital thing, here in Australia we have socialized health care (with the option to take out private health cover) and it it TOTALLY diffrent to the military hospital. My boyfriend was in the army and he said the base's hospital wasn't very good. But the public hospitals here are rather good (even if sometimes you do have to wait a while to see someone, you're getting free treatment so why complain).

by Anonymous 13 years ago

the PRESIDENT, out of anyone, should definitely have some sort of military experience. i believe that with every bone of my body. however, when it comes to very "small" public official jobs (city council members, etc.) i dont think it appies as much. it is more important for those "smaller" members to be more in tune with the needs and issues of their immediate area. The military service is a better suggestion for federal leadership positions (House, Senate,President, Cabinet Members, Supreme Court, etc.)

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Why is this worst of the week? It actually makes a little sense to do this.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

My mum is an elected member of local government and I'm having a hard time trying to immagine her serving in the millitary. I don't think that ANY member that has a position that affects the public should. Although like someone said before, maybe the people who are incharge of decisions that affect the armed forces should, but even then I don't see it working in all cases.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Holy fook! Such ignorance is astounding. Read: I hope you are trolling.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

The one problem is that a military-experienced president will be more war-happy than one that wasn't in the military. It doesn't really matter either way.

by Anonymous 13 years ago