US Navy Chief, on active duty since 1987.

Having or not having a military background does not make you a leader or presidential. Nixon and Carter both were in the Navy both had serious errors in judgment. Reagan and Truman did not serve and they did a fine job.

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All I Wanted Was A Pepsi, Just One Pepsi

Team Zoot, Team Zoot Mid-Atlantic

"Reagan and Truman did not serve..."

Wrong and wronger. Both were in the Army--Reagan in WWII and Truman in WWI. Reagan made training films in Hollywood (but hey, that was what he was good at so that's how they used him), Truman was an artillery officer in France. Go back to school, chief. 5VM?

Actually, Reagan wanted to serve in the combat forces but due to a hearing problem (broken eardrum) could not serve in the manner he wanted.

"What's your excuse?"

For what? I have a whole list of them prepared for my upcoming performance at IMMOO, but I'm not sure that's what you're looking for.

I'd say you got schooled by a jarhead on your knowledge of presidential history - don't let the other chiefs hear about that!

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kangaroo -- please do not read or respond to any of my posts

Sound's like a convenient excuse he made up when he became a politician - broken eardrums heal. I had a number of ruptured eardrums as a child and the Navy let me dive for 10 years.

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kangaroo -- please do not read or respond to any of my posts

My bad.

Second chance, FDR never served and yet he was President longer than anyone, and has the largest memorial in DC. Being in the military does not guarantee you will be a good President

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All I Wanted Was A Pepsi, Just One Pepsi

Team Zoot, Team Zoot Mid-Atlantic

Grant was a General and many would argue that he was one of our worst Presidents.

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Slowguy

(insert pithy phrase here...)

Yes, and he's the guy who is really spearheading the SBVT group. He's also one of he guys who insists there was no enemy fire during the event, and that he didn't know he was up for a Bronze Star until he got one.

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Grant was a decent man who was easily manipulated.

Disclaimer: I never served in the military but I did write a report on Ulysses S. Grant in 4th grade, so I think I qualify as an expert ;)

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USMC 1981-1990

"Happy are those who choose the Corps......and say 'goodbye' to boredom forevermore"

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**All of these words finding themselves together were greatly astonished and delighted for assuredly, they had never met before**

I read through a book on Reagan this weekend. This book said it was his "poor eyesight" that prevented him from serving in the "way he wanted" (assuming this meant as a pilot.) Therefore, he opted for the training film job.

"He's also one of he guys who insists there was no enemy fire during the event, and that he didn't know he was up for a Bronze Star until he got one."

Just a note. You don't need to be underfire to get a bronze star. You just need to show valor.

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customerjon @gmail.com is where information happens.

Fair enough. My only beef is with politicians who say "I would have been a combat marine/infantry soldier/war hero but..." I'm sure back in your USMC days you didn't have to look too far to see a Marine carrying a rifle and wearing glasses.

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kangaroo -- please do not read or respond to any of my posts

"Just a note. You don't need to be underfire to get a bronze star. You just need to show valor."

For that matter, you don't have to know you're up for the award to get it. Commanders sometimes purposely don't say anything so they can surprise their guys at an award ceremony or something.

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Slowguy

(insert pithy phrase here...)

slowguy & Tibbs: I'm on the same page - the guy wasn't shocked when he got the Bronze star - he just figured that he was put up for it for fishing people out of the water.

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From the Navy Awards Manual--If the Bronze Star is earned in combat, the Combat Distinguishing Device (Gold "V" for valor) may be authorized. The medal citation must specifically state that the "V" is authorized (Ahem--ADM Boorda).

Some guys in Vietnam (Army) got the BS without the "V." If you were a Marine, that was unheard of. There is a lot of leeway in the awards process, and some services (Army/Air Force) gave medals out like M&Ms.

So true, I got my Navy Achievement Medal after I was discharged (the paper work was submitted before I discharged). I would have given that damn thing back though, I got it for painting a floor. Of all the things I deserved to be recognized for painting a floor and reading directions for the paint wasn't one of them.

U.S.A.F 1993-1997

U.S.N. 1980-1984. VA-147 out of Lemoore, CA attached to the U.S.S. Constellation, CV-64 and the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk, CV-63. Have work as a defense contractor ever since.

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jimmyk

I haven't partaken of the Lavender Room yet, but just for your data.



USMC - 1986 - 1992 - with a tour as a REMF during GF1.

AZARNG - 2001 - present - went to OCS to become 2LT and will soon(Nov/Dec Mob - Feb/Mar BOG) be heading to Iraq as an MP PL.



I know that some people used the NG as a way of staying out of VN, but many Gaurdsman and Reservists served honorably over there. And today it's very difficult to avoid getting activated, with I would guess about 60-70% of those activations being for OEF or OIF.



Ed

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LLLEEEEEEEEEEEERRRROOOYYY JEEENNNNNKKKIIINNNNNS!!!

Germany 83-85, man were those the "good ole" days. Not a care in the world, riding my bike all over the country side. No obligations, no debt--well my massive px stereo system was on loan. Just waiting to get out to spend the college money. Glad I didn't know then what I do know now. Bought a great turntable as I couldn't finance a CD player and wasn't sure they'd catch on to fast.