Did president joe biden serve in the military?

Did President Joe Biden Serve in the Military?

As the 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden’s military service has been a topic of interest and controversy. In this article, we will delve into the facts and provide a clear answer to the question: Did President Joe Biden serve in the military?

Early Life and Education

Before we dive into his military service, it’s essential to understand Joe Biden’s early life and education. Born on November 20, 1942, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Biden grew up in a middle-class family. He attended the University of Delaware, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in 1965. Biden then moved to Syracuse University College of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in 1969.

Military Service

Now, let’s get to the question at hand: Did President Joe Biden serve in the military? The answer is no, he did not. However, Biden’s path to becoming President was heavily influenced by his experiences as a young man.

**Drafted into the Army

In 1968, during the Vietnam War, Biden was drafted into the United States Army. He was classified as 1-A, which meant he was eligible for military service. However, Biden’s draft status was changed to 1-O, which meant he was deferred from service due to his student status.

**Medical Deferral

In 1969, Biden was granted a medical deferment due to asthma, which he had developed as a child. This deferment allowed him to avoid military service. Critics have questioned the legitimacy of Biden’s medical deferment, with some arguing that it was a convenient excuse to avoid serving.

**Alternative Service

Despite not serving in the military, Biden did participate in alternative service. In 1973, he spent six months working at a mental health clinic in Arkansas as part of the American Friends Service Committee’s Alternative Service Program. This program allowed young men to avoid military service by performing civilian service.

**Claims of Military Service

During his 2020 presidential campaign, Biden faced criticism for his military service record. Some of his opponents, including President Donald Trump, questioned his claims of military service. Biden has consistently maintained that he did not serve in the military, but rather was drafted and then deferred due to his student status and later medical deferment.

**Comparison to Other Presidents

It’s worth noting that Biden is not the only President who did not serve in the military. According to a 2020 report by the Congressional Research Service, 27 of the 45 Presidents in U.S. history did not serve in the military. However, Biden’s lack of military service has been a topic of controversy, particularly given his frequent mentions of his "service" during his presidential campaign.

**Conclusion

In conclusion, President Joe Biden did not serve in the military. While he was drafted into the Army, his draft status was changed to 1-O, and he was later granted a medical deferment due to his asthma. Biden did participate in alternative service, working at a mental health clinic in Arkansas. Despite controversy surrounding his military service record, Biden has consistently maintained that he did not serve in the military.

**Table: Comparison of Presidents’ Military Service

**Bullets List: Key Points

• Joe Biden was drafted into the Army in 1968 but was classified as 1-O, deferring his service due to his student status.
• Biden was later granted a medical deferment due to his asthma in 1969.
• Biden participated in alternative service, working at a mental health clinic in Arkansas in 1973.
• 27 of the 45 Presidents in U.S. history did not serve in the military.
• President Joe Biden did not serve in the military, but his lack of service has been a topic of controversy.