Did Donald Trump Serve In The Military?

It’s a question that keeps coming up every now and then, especially when people start talking about presidents and their backgrounds — Did Donald Trump serve in the military? Some assume he must have, others are not so sure. What’s interesting is that the answer is more detailed than a simple yes or no. Let’s break it down in a way that actually makes sense.

Donald Trump Was Of Draft Age During The Vietnam War But Never Went Into Combat Or Basic Training

Donald Trump was born in 1946, which meant he turned 18 right when the Vietnam War was ramping up in 1964. That made him part of the exact age group that was being drafted for military service. The Selective Service system was active, and lots of young men across the country were being called to serve.

Trump received a total of five deferments from the draft. Four were for being a full-time college student at Fordham University and later at the University of Pennsylvania. The fifth deferment was based on a medical issue — bone spurs in his heels. That final deferment took him out of the draft entirely.

His Attendance At A Private Military Academy Often Leads To Confusion About Actual Military Service

He finished secondary school at the New York Military Academy. Some people think that he had military training as a result. While the academy was a military-style, private boarding school, it did not have official ties with the US military.

He excelled academically and even had a leadership role among the cadets but his graduation from school does not imply that he joined the military. It's more comparative to a strict prep school with marching drills rather than boot camp or military training.

The Medical Deferment Donald Trump Received Later On Became A Talking Point During His Political Career

When Trump started running for president in 2015, his military record — or lack of one — became a frequent subject of discussion. Some critics felt the bone spur diagnosis was vague or convenient. There were even stories about how the doctor may have had ties to Trump’s father, Fred Trump, which made people raise their eyebrows.

Trump always said that the diagnosis was real and that the military accepted it at the time. Still, the timing and circumstances led to a lot of speculation. Many people who were drafted and sent to Vietnam didn’t have the option to get out of it, which made this issue hit a nerve for some veterans.

 

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Military Service Is Not A Requirement For Becoming President And He Was Not The Only One Without It

While a lot of U.S. presidents have served in the military — like Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and George H.W. Bush — it’s not a requirement. Donald Trump is one of several modern presidents who did not serve, including Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

This hasn’t stopped any of them from making military decisions or becoming commander-in-chief. Some voters care about that background, others care more about policies and leadership. It’s just one piece of a much larger picture when it comes to judging a president’s qualifications.

Despite Never Serving In Uniform, He Spoke Constantly About The Military During His Presidency

Trump put the military in the limelight during his presidency though he never wore the uniform and never did any training. He was the president who founded the US military, lobbied for more funding for the military, and prioritized the care of the veterans first. Space Force is the newest military branch.

He publicly bragged defending and addressed troops as well as attending military parades. While some viewed it as an act of respect, others said it was an overcompensation for his lack of service. Regardless, his administration set the tone that the military would always be first.

Public Reaction To His Draft History Still Creates Debate Years After Donald Trump Has Left The Office

Even though decades have passed since the Vietnam War, Trump’s draft history still stirs up strong opinions. Some people become upset because a person who had a wealthy background dodged the draft when others could not. Others say that he obeyed the legal procedure and no rules were broken.

 

Business Name: Sparkly Maid Chicago

Business Number: (224) 214-0145

Business Email: support@sparklymaid.com

Business Address: Chicago, IL