Will Gen X/Gen Y presidents need military service?

[eyesroll]

Much ado has been made about presidential candidates' military service, or lack thereof, especially since Baby Boomers have been running. Bill Clinton got hammered for his lack of service; * got a boost from his Guard time (whether he was AWOL or not). Even now, voters are trying to determine whether we need a veteran as the Democratic nominee to be able to compete agaist the Flight Suit In Chief.

But what happens in 10-20 years or so, when Generation X starts running candidates. Will it be an issue? What do you think?

I was too young for Gulf War 1, not really too old -- but too married, job, mortage to want to interrupt things with military service -- for Gulf War 2 (I could still enlist in the Army or Navy, but I'm too old for the other branches), and never interested in military service in the least anyway. I imagine many people of my generation, regardless of their political affiliation, have similar views. Will we have trouble a couple of decades from now?

On edit: I suppose I should add that I'm female. Women are usually given a "pass" on military service, but then again, a woman hasn't been elected president yet. (No, I have no desire to run for or to be president.)

[GOPisEvil]

1. I doubt it.

Since we have an all-volunteer armed services, I don't think it will be as much of an issue. The big issue with military service now, is not whether one served, but whether their exemption from service was admirable (in the eyes of some).

[camero]

2. I think it will always be an issue

Not to me but to the electorate because they keep sending every generation to war. GW1 was Gen X's war. GWII was the Y's war. I feel bad for all of us.

[Muddleoftheroad]

3. Yes

[JanMichael]

4. No.

.

[Muddleoftheroad]

7. Only if they wish to win

[JanMichael]

8. What beam of light did that gem of wisdom drop down from?

"Only if they wish to win"?

"Only"? A purely baseless bit of mythological conjecture, thanks for the laugh:-)

[Devlzown]

5. Not as much.

There wasn't a draft while we were growing up, so no one can accuse anyone else of avoiding service while others were sent off to die.

[tabasco]

6. Couldn't hurt.

A hitch in the military is still seen as a patriotic act. I tend to agree with this viewpoint, especially with service in the combat arms.It will be a fine day when we no longer need a military, but that day ain't even close.