Should the President and elected officals with the power to send our sons and daughters to war be required to have served in the military?

Agreed, anybody holding a political office with more authority thatn a mayor should have to be a veteran. I'd be down with Starship Trooper rules: you don't serve, you aren't a full fledged citizen and you don't get to vote or qualify for any sort of benefit.

It would be nice. But it isn't stipulated in our Constitution. It can't be required without an Amendment, and I wouldn't want it. It would also exclude capable Americans, like FDR, who aren't physically suited to military service. It's important to remember that our founders never foresaw the rise of a professional standing military, other than a small Navy. The Army was expected to remain a small staff with most combat arms troops coming from state militias, now the National Guard.

That said, in our last two Presidential elections neither major party candidate had any military service. Our Nation, regardless of party, is becoming one in which we've devalued the experience of sacrificing yourself to something greater.

With only 7% of all citizens having served since WW1, and only about 1% of the population at any given time, I think having the requirement makes the pool of potential officials too small.

I would say No but I would definitely be more likely to support a Veteran running for President than a Non-Veteran unless he was a Complete Asshole both in and out of Uniform and I have met plenty of those.

It would be something that would help. Not just being in the military, but any Public Service, albeit police or firefighter. Have the Enforcer of the Constitution be someone who knows a thing or two about Selfless Service. Someone who knows that life is not just something to be handed out lightly, but something you have to work hard at to achieve. With endless nights, calls at all hours of the day, all with one simple goal in mind.... to help your fellow man.

I served when President Eisenhower & Kennedy were our Commanders in Chief. Both had combat experience in WWII and knew the horrors of war. Today we have a Commander in Chief who never served in the military. But historians will judge how well Obama performed as our Commander in Chief. He did give the OK to get Osama Bin Laden but I can't think of anything else he did that was noteworthy. I cringed when Obama could not pronounce "Corpsman" and rendered a salute to his Marine Security with a cup of coffee in his hand. I don't see Obama spending much time at our military hospitals or bases in the states or overseas. But I do see him playing a lot of golf and on fund raisers for the Democrats. I am not a historian, just an old Marine Veteran and think Obama has not been a strong Commander in Chief. I for one will be glad to see him leave the White House but worry who will take his place.

WTF?

No.

No. Military service is great experience (usually) but is not a qualifier for character. Ethical behavior integrated with integrity is the better qualifier for candidacy of any political office.

I would suggest that no, we should not require military service to run for the presidency. Doing so would only minimize the pool of candidates, and still not guarantee an effective President... Let's not forget President Carter was a Naval officer, and performed dismally, if we consider the outcomes.

I agree....and in this election, not one Candidate has prior military service? I don't know for sure...let me know people? http://blog.govfaces.com/who-deserves-to-be-a-citizen-a-reflection-on-robert-a-heinleins-starship-troopers-55-years-onward/