Which President has been most supportive of our military and what past Presidents should President Trump emulate or differ from and why?

2017-01-20T21:59:11-05:00

Which President has been best for our military and why? Who should President Trump emulate and who should he learn from about what NOT to do and why?

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jan 20 at 2017 10:28 PM

2017-01-20T22:28:51-05:00

In my lifetime, the two are one and the same: Reagan. 600 ship Navy, etc. And Trump would do well to emulate his forthright integrity.

Response by SFC George Smith made Jan 20 at 2017 10:37 PM

2017-01-20T22:37:47-05:00

Gong with Reagan because he rebuilt the Military and Strengthened US Ties and Allies around the world...and backed the Russian Bear into cave and kept him there... till Clinton and BHO released Him and the Chi-Com Dragon...

Response by SFC Dave Beran made Jan 20 at 2017 11:16 PM

2017-01-20T23:16:55-05:00

I would say President Reagan. He did a lot to repair 4 years of abuse by Carter. Brought pride back to the military.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2017 3:24 AM

2017-01-21T03:24:40-05:00

A lot of people are going to roll with Reagan, but I like Ike. That is to say, I think Eisenhower is the one to emulate: rebuild the homeland, put money properly towards STEM education, etc. We're not going to remain the global hegemon if we backslide on science; it happened to the Muslims in the Middle Ages, it happened to Europe after the World Wars...

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Jan 21 at 2017 7:55 AM

2017-01-21T07:55:41-05:00

Reagan was the most supportive of our military in my lifetime one of the few Presidents that successfully avoided a number of conflicts and he had a big hole to climb out of because nobody respected President Carter and his military threats and just about everyone was walking all over us when Reagan was elected. He had to put Libya, Iran, Lebonon, Cuba, and the Soviet Union back into their borders.........all were attempting to expand via military invasion or subversion of other countries. Additionally, Reagan had to fight against a CUT and RUN Democratic Party that repeatedly reminded everyone of Vietnam and attempted several times to explain their worldwide retreat as peacemaking.

Response by CPT Stephen Hogan made Jan 21 at 2017 11:12 AM

2017-01-21T11:12:45-05:00

U S Grant

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Jan 22 at 2017 8:42 PM

2017-01-22T20:42:29-05:00

A few thoughts:
1. Define "supportive". Monetary support? Moral support? Vocal support? Best supported the military through good decision making? All the above?
2. Should emulate:
a. Reagan. Directed buildup of military when strategically needed to accomplish his objectives. Slow to deploy/employ the military but decisively supported when he did (Libya, Grenada). What to learn: tie actions to his objectives.
b. Kennedy. Owned his successes and his failures. Did not pass the buck. Saw need for and championed the Special Forces. What to learn: own the good and the bad.
c. Bush 41. Arguably the best qualified to be President before becoming President. Built national and international coalition against Iraq. What to learn: what it takes to defeat radical Islam.
d. Roosevelt. Able to see and operate strategically. Led the American people rather than followed opinion polls. What to learn: focus on the things that only the President can do.
3. Should differ from:
a. Obama. Poor strategic decision making. Used military for social engineering. Never took ownership of any failure. What to learn: how/when to make decisions.
b. Clinton. Liked to tell our enemies what was on and off the table for military options. What to learn: don't give free chicken to our enemies.
c. Carter. Where to start? Indecisive, strategically inept, portrayed weakness to our adversaries. Did broker peace between Egypt and Israel though. What to learn: how to be a better ex President than a President.
d Johnson. Tried to conduct war on the cheap. Micromanaged the military. What to Learn: give guidance and get the hell out of the way.
4. Neither emulate nor differ from.
a. Bush 43. Strong response to 9/11 but ordered attack of Iraq without a Phase IV plan. What to learn: Plan for all six phases of an operation.
b. Nixon. Strategic vision good but so paranoid that he enabled his own downfall. What to learn: The President can not and should not respond to every petty political attack upon his administration.

Response by SFC Gary Harklerode made Jan 23 at 2017 11:58 PM

2017-01-23T23:58:07-05:00

Reagan was very good to the military, W was ok. None of the rest back to Kennedy were great. I cant go farther back, wasnt alive that far in the past.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2017 6:33 AM

2017-01-24T06:33:43-05:00

Reagan and Bush in my lifetime, Trump will do it too

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2017 7:30 AM

2017-01-24T07:30:12-05:00

I have to agree with other who list President Reagan.

Response by CMSgt Gary Fichman made Jan 24 at 2017 9:27 AM

2017-01-24T09:27:14-05:00

Best was President Regan-dramatic change after Mr Carter. Mr Trump ought to consider history for his role model, however I would like to see a consistent approach and not pander to the polls & media.

Response by SGT Arno Paul Schumann made Jan 24 at 2017 9:36 AM

2017-01-24T09:36:04-05:00

Nixon and Reagan recognized the world as it was in "Real Politique" so they were generally successful militarily
. The last 2 administrations that sent us to Iraq on a pack of lies and drew lines-in-the-sand without backup and gave away hard fought-for land were miserable examples of how to waste both treasure and blood.

Response by Sgt John Koliha made Jan 24 at 2017 11:10 AM

2017-01-24T11:10:24-05:00

'Tis funny, but when I think about this I realize that the one's who EXPRESSED the most respect were those who had never really served. Thinking George W., Clinton, Reagan, and now Trump. The ones who had actually served were more into a kind of silent respect, brothers in arms kind of thing. As for supporting the military, Reagan would have to head the list - what with the big build up and unlimited funding. I don't think anyone has really disrespected the military.

Response by CMSgt Bill Hamilton made Jan 24 at 2017 11:31 AM

2017-01-24T11:31:58-05:00

My military service started back in Ford's last days and ended as Obama entered office. Things were rough at times in my early days as pay was still fairly low and we were still downsizing from the Vietnam Era. Under Reagan things turned around as we built back up, restored some pride to the troops, and pay got better. It continued into Bush Sr's term. We used Reagan's military build up to crush the Iraqi's in 1991. Then once more after Desert Storm and the Cold War ended, we downsized the military under Clinton as a part of the "Peace Dividend". After 9/11, the military didn't increase much manpower wise. However under Bush Jr. we saw some tremendous pay increases in the mid and senior grades and lot's of technical advances. Under Obama, we again decreased our manning in spite of being at "war" for over 15 years now, including his entire 8 years in office. During his years, the pay increases were miscue at best and we continued to send troops into combat as we downsized. During my service, Reagan restored our pride and increased our forces. Under Bush Jr., my pay shot up and I felt he cared about us. So those were my two favorites, one for the buildup and one for the money.

Response by Mary Burchard Pikula made Jan 24 at 2017 1:31 PM

2017-01-24T13:31:12-05:00

George W Bush

Response by LT Richard Mondak made Jan 24 at 2017 2:58 PM

2017-01-24T14:58:23-05:00

As a Navy guy, I was so disappointed with J. Carter. President Reagan did so much for us and took care of military families as well. GHW Bush and "43" continued the support. The draw down under Clinton left us ill-prepared for the events and aftermath of 11 SEPT 2001. I would like to see a bit of Reagan's to the point honesty, Bush 41's resolve and the fighting spirit of Bush '43 (although without the "wishy washy" Legislature and hope that the Intel is much better.

Response by SPC Johnny Velazquez, PhD made Jan 24 at 2017 5:08 PM

2017-01-24T17:08:30-05:00

I would say, Kennedy, my Commander-in-Chief, and Reagan. Hopefully, Trump will follow their lead, and the advice of seasoned military officers.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2017 7:26 PM

2017-01-24T19:26:59-05:00

Well, since 1950's to now I would like to think former President Reagan. But it's our Commandants who I served with is more important to me than just our Presidents. As for who President Trump should emulate, now that's a very good question. I think he should be his own and to try and bring everyone in our Nation together not just talk. But do the walk too!

Response by SPC Douglas Bolton made Jan 24 at 2017 9:54 PM

2017-01-24T21:54:04-05:00

FDR is the number one in my book followed by Reagan, They both had to build up the military, and unite the country behind them. They both rallied he flag, and the people responded. I am hoping the same thing happens with President Trump.

Response by SSG Wayne Wood made Jan 24 at 2017 11:46 PM

2017-01-24T23:46:58-05:00

I remember Johnson and Nixon as a brat; served under Ford, Carter, and Reagan. 'Been an interested observer ever since. The absolute best as far as support (in almost every area) and judicious use of military force to great effect had to be Reagan. Bush 41 has to be a close second. I think it's too soon to really tell on Bush 43 or even Obama (though I have my opinions, I will withhold in the interest of objectivity and fairness). Our new C-in-C would do well to learn from the book of Reagan IMHO.

Response by PO2 Emily Stanford made Jan 27 at 2017 2:17 AM

2017-01-27T02:17:07-05:00

Look at their voting records ( minimal pay raises, even if they are higher than other administrations, don't necessarily equate support).

My quest, when I was exploring this very topic, was to see who proposed legislation to take care of us once we left he service, not just while we in. I was surprised as to what I found.

Response by SSgt Michael Hoenig made Jan 29 at 2017 1:18 PM

2017-01-29T13:18:43-05:00

Don't hold your breath, hoping Trump will do anything good for the country.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Apr 17 at 2017 3:54 PM

2017-04-17T15:54:26-04:00

Kennedy, Oct 1, 1963 I got promoted to E-4, Pro Pay with a 3X multiplier, and a 100% pay raise. I was rich