How Many Presidents Did Not Serve in the Military?
Contents
Serving in the Military: A Requirement for Presidency?
One of the most common myths about the American presidency is that serving in the military is a requirement for holding the office. However, this myth is just that – a myth. Only nine of the 45 U.S. Presidents have held a military rank.
In this article, we’ll explore the number of presidents who did not serve in the military and take a closer look at those who did serve. We’ll also examine the myth-busting facts about military service and the presidency.
Who Did Serve?
Some notable presidents who served in the military include:
• George Washington: Appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army
• James Madison: Member of the Virginia House of Delegates and Brigade Inspector
• James K. Polk: Military Officer in the Tennessee Volunteers
• Zachary Taylor: Major-General in the United States Army
• Andrew Johnson: Private in the North Carolina Militia
• Rutherford B. Hayes: Major in the 23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry
• James A. Garfield: Brigadier-General in the Ohio National Guard
• Chester A. Arthur: Captain in the Union Army
• Benjamin Harrison: Brigadier-General in the Union Army
• William Henry Harrison: Colonel in the United States Army
• Dwight D. Eisenhower: Five-Star General in the United States Army
• Harry S. Truman: Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserve
• John F. Kennedy: Lieutenant in the United States Navy
• Ronald Reagan: Lifeguard during World War II
Note: This is not an exhaustive list, but rather a selection of notable examples.
Who Did Not Serve?
Here are some presidents who did not serve in the military:
• Joe Biden: Served as a Draft Alternate in 1969 during the Vietnam War but did not serve active duty
• John Quincy Adams: Declared his opposition to the war and never served in the military
• Franklin Pierce: Turned down a promotion to Brigadier-General but did not serve in active combat
• Millard Fillmore: Was a Justice of the Peace and Member of Congress but did not hold a military commission
• Andrew Johnson: Went on to serve as President after Lincoln’s assassination but was a member of the Confederate States House of Representatives
• Martin Van Buren: Was not eligible to serve due to his Native American ancestry
• Jimmy Carter: Felt he couldn’t avoid service so he received an honorable discharge
• Gerald Ford: Was removed from office and pardoned Richard Nixon but served as Navy football player during World War II
• Barrack Obama: Attended college on scholarship and did not serve
• Bill Clinton: Was Draft-able but did not serve in Vietnam War due to the lottery
Military Experience and Presidency
• Dwight D. Eisenhower‘s military experience helped shape his decision-making skills
• George H.W. Bush‘s military background led to increased credibility
• Donald Trump‘s avoidance of serving due to heel spurs led to controversy about his military avoidance
The numbers are staggering: over 75% of all U.S. Presidents had no military service. When asked about military service in an interview, Roosevelt told the AP: "We don’t have to ask anyone where we can put our battleships and how we are going to go about fighting. We just go".
It’s fascinating to note that a lack of military service was often seen as a desirable quality among the people and politicians, as *a president should be the diplomat, leader, and symbol of national unity rather than solely a war-fighting authority.
Conclusion
In summary, of the 45 U.S. Presidents, 34 had no prior military experience, while only 11 presidents held military ranks or were commissioned officers. Only one, Donald Trump, was never drafted. As we analyze the various backgrounds of each president, we can gain a greater understanding of their unique perspective on leadership, diplomacy, and national service.
To break the mold of misconceptions, remember that there’s no mandatory military requirement to hold the office. Military service does not, by itself, make an individual a stronger leader.
For more insight into our leaders’ fascinating stories and careers, consult the linked tables and graphs below!
