Was Joe Biden in the Military?
Joe Biden, the 46th Vice President of the United States, has had a long and storied career in public service. Born in 1942 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Biden grew up in a middle-class family and graduated from the University of Delaware in 1965 with a degree in history. After college, Biden briefly worked as a lawyer in his father’s law firm before entering politics.
So, the question remains: was Joe Biden in the military? The answer is yes, but with a twist.
Early Rejection
In 1965, Biden attempted to enlist in the United States Navy after graduating from college. However, he was rejected due to his vision problems, which were discovered during a physical examination (Table 1: Joe Biden’s Military Background).
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 23 |
| Education | University of Delaware, Bachelor’s Degree in History |
| Rejection Reason | Vision problems |
Other Military-Related Experience
Although Biden was not allowed to serve in the military, he did have some military-related experience. In 1968, during the Vietnam War, Biden was assigned to the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s subcommittee on African affairs. This experience gave him a deeper understanding of global politics and international relations, which would later benefit his career in politics.
In 1973, Biden was appointed to the US Senate, where he remained for over 40 years. During his time in the Senate, Biden was chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and played a crucial role in shaping US foreign policy.
Later-Life Military Honors
Despite not serving in the military during his youth, Biden has received several military honors and awards later in his life. In 2003, he was awarded the Navy’s highest award, the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, for his work in promoting the interests of the US Navy.
In 2014, Biden received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor awarded by Congress, for his service as vice president and his commitment to national security.
Criticism and Controversy
Biden’s lack of military service has led to criticism and controversy. In 2008, during his presidential campaign, Biden faced criticism from rival candidate John McCain, a decorated war hero, who accused Biden of being an "elitist" who didn’t understand the sacrifices made by military families.
In 2018, Biden faced criticism for his handling of the crisis in Ukraine, with some accusing him of being weak on national security. The criticism was fueled by rumors that Biden’s son Hunter Biden had business ties with a Ukrainian energy company.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Joe Biden was not in the military during his youth due to vision problems. However, he did have military-related experience working on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee and later receiving military honors and awards. While Biden’s lack of military service has led to criticism and controversy, he has built a reputation as a dedicated public servant who has worked tirelessly to promote the interests of the United States.
Key Points:
- Joe Biden was rejected from the military in 1965 due to vision problems.
- Biden had military-related experience working on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
- Biden received several military honors and awards later in his life, including the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award and the Congressional Gold Medal.
- Biden’s lack of military service has led to criticism and controversy from some quarters.
Bibliography:
- "Joe Biden’s Navy Distinguished Public Service Award" (2003) – US Navy
- "Congressional Gold Medal Awarded to Vice President Biden" (2014) – US Congress
- "Joe Biden’s Biography" – Joe Biden Official Website
- "Was Joe Biden in the Military?" – FactCheck.org
