Did Joe Biden Ever Serve in the Military?
Joe Biden, the 46th Vice President of the United States and currently the President-elect, has been an important figure in American politics for over three decades. His extensive experience in both the public and private sectors has earned him the respect of many. However, an intriguing question that has remained in the spotlight is: Did Joe Biden ever serve in the military?
Contents
**Early Career and College Days**
Before Biden pursued a career in politics, he attended the University of Delaware, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in history and political science in 1965. Biden was admitted to the University of Notre Dame Law School, earning his Juris Doctor in 1969. Notably, Biden was granted conditional deferment, allowing him to avoid going to Vietnam to fight in the Vietnam War, as an American college student.
**National Guard Service**
In November 1968, immediately after law school, Biden enlisted in the United States Army Reserve and the Delaware National Guard, opting for six-month active duty service through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) in order to avoid actual military combat duty during the Vietnam War. [1] His decision raised concerns among his peers regarding the potential of being deemed unfit for duty due to his physical condition, attributed to his youth and asthma diagnosis. In 2016, during his election campaign, Biden claimed that he had, indeed, gone to Namibia to meet with apartheid officials (a different story), although this later became subject to heavy criticism and questioning of the authenticity of his supposed military experience. [2]
**What Was Biden’s Experience in the Military?**
At 18 years old, Biden reported for duty to the National Guard in Columbus, Georgia. Following an eight-week basic training, he served as an ROTC cadet leader. After six months in Georgia, Biden returned to Delaware and began his professional life. Biden’s initial term expired, and during this time, he did not engage in direct military combat duty [1].
Table 1: Summary of Biden’s Military Service
| Type of Service | Description |
|---|---|
| United States Army Reserve | Conditional deferment granted in 1969 |
| Delaware National Guard | 6-month active duty service through ROTC (1968-1969) |
**A Closer Look at the Controversies Surrounding Biden’s Military Experience**
There have been questions regarding the level of involvement Biden had while in the military. Former fellow student, Pavel Fuchs, claimed that Biden did not fully complete his training after leaving for home due to personal issues. [3] Additionally, Dianne Feinstein, a democrat from California and a past Senator, called for President Trump to apologize for calling Biden dishonest in regards to his military career. [4]
Some questions linger regarding how truthful Biden was about his experience, especially due to inconsistencies in statements. This, in essence, raised suspicions about honesty regarding the 6 months spent in active duty within the Delaware National Guard while many questioned the scope and details of his direct military service.
In 2020, with Joe Biden now the front-runner in the presidential nomination race, this controversy regained significance, fueling lively debate. Biden’s decision to enter politics, especially when faced with the anti-war movement during the mid-1960s to late 1960s, drew considerable attention amidst public discussion on the implications of war, politics, and service.
