In your opinion, should Presidents be required to serve in the US Armed Forces s

1. 67

   Phocas Vincentposted 9 years ago

   In your opinion, should Presidents be required to serve in the US Armed Forces since they are CIC?
   
   CIC meaning, Commander in Chief.
   
   

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2. 80

   dashingscorpioposted 9 years ago

   No, And a mayor should not be required to have been a police or fire officer in order to oversee those departments in his/her city.
   In the business world it's rare that the CEO/President has worked in all the various positions within a company which they oversee.
   Delegation is a major component in leadership. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense roles are there to advise a president. Each of them has military experience needed.

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3. 74

   MHigginsposted 9 years ago

   Required? No. Helpful? Quite possibly.
   Veterans, like everyone else, need an advocate that is aware of possible needs during both war and peace.  There have been a few political figures and President's who have gathered insight from their military experience.
   
   On the flip side to this, a career military person has been engrossed in a culture that is different from the civilian culture.  If someone becomes a great General, then they are exactly that; a great General.  They understand the things that helped them reach that position.  It might be more difficult for the same person to make a great President.  I think that Norman Schwarzkopf knew this.
   
   I think that the President should definitely listen to their Joint Chiefs of Staff though.

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      dashingscorpioposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Good point! There is a big difference in how one succeeds in the military by giving and following orders (no questions asked) per chain of command versus political negotiations to resolve issues as well as getting (elected) and re-elected.

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4. 61

   Justin Peeleposted 9 years ago

   I do not think it should be perquisite.  I think that it may be a good quality but I do not think it should be a requirement.  I think that we as citizens are drawn to people who have served because we view them as patriots and heroes(which they are).  I think though that some would view this requirement as a militarization of our government.  I think that once you are in the military and you leave you still act or think like you are in the military.  Like a lot of old retired cops still think and act like cops.  Its hard to turn off.  I think that a President who was in the military would learn toward more money/breaks on the military, which is not a bad thing, but it could cause problems.  I think if you were to make it a requirement you have to make it a requirement for the congressional level as well.

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