Was Mike Pence in the Military?
Mike Pence, the 48th Vice President of the United States, has had a long and distinguished career in politics. Before entering politics, Pence served in the military, but the extent and nature of his service are often debated. In this article, we will examine the facts and answer the question: Was Mike Pence in the military?
Early Life and Education
Mike Pence was born on June 7, 1959, in Columbus, Indiana. He grew up in a family of modest means and was the only child of Edward J. Pence Jr. and Nancy Jane Pence. Mike Pence attended Hanover College in Indiana, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in History in 1981. After college, he worked as a lawyer and later as a Congressional aide.
Military Service
Mike Pence enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve in 1977, during his junior year of college. He was 18 years old at the time. Pence served for six years in the Naval Reserve, including time on active duty from 1978 to 1979. During his active duty period, he worked as a naval aviator, flying F-4 Phantom II fighter jets off the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier.
Here are the key facts about Mike Pence’s military service:
Fact | Description |
---|---|
Enlisted in 1977 | Pence enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve in 1977, during his junior year of college. |
Served 6 years | Pence served for six years in the Naval Reserve, including time on active duty from 1978 to 1979. |
Active duty | During his active duty period, Pence worked as a naval aviator, flying F-4 Phantom II fighter jets off the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier. |
Released from active duty | Pence was released from active duty in 1979 and returned to his naval reserve duties. |
Honorable discharge | Pence received an honorable discharge from the Naval Reserve in 1984, after completing his six years of service. |
Post-Military Life and Politics
After his honorable discharge from the Naval Reserve, Pence returned to civilian life and worked as a lawyer and a radio talk show host. He later entered politics, serving in the Indiana House of Representatives from 2000 to 2002 and in the United States House of Representatives from 2003 to 2013. In 2016, he was elected as the 48th Vice President of the United States, serving alongside President Donald Trump.
Debating the Facts
While Pence’s military service is generally well-documented, some have questioned the extent of his service. Some critics have argued that Pence exaggerated his military service or inflated his rank. In 2017, FactCheck.org, a fact-checking organization, concluded that Pence’s claims about his military service were generally accurate. However, the organization did note that Pence had made some statements that were "misleading" or "exaggerated."
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mike Pence did serve in the military. He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve in 1977 and served for six years, including time on active duty as a naval aviator. Although some have questioned the facts of his service, reputable fact-checking organizations have concluded that Pence’s claims about his military service are generally accurate.