Will the U.S. ever have a President who saw combat in OEF or OIF?

I think we will see a president that served in OIF or OEF or maybe even both. Do I think that we will see it with the next elections.......unfortunately no. I think it will take a couple elections before we see someone that served in these wars, but I think it will, like it has in the past, be beneficial to not only the US Military, but the US population as well when a veteran is elected again.

MAJ Laurie H. - First, thanks for your help earlier today. Anyway, I hope we do see one because as I see it, I am really proud of our troops especially since they were operating under very tight rules of engagement and they carried it off pretty well. Now, Gen Schwartkopf and his leadership is passing on, I expect we will see more candidates that get our needs from an active duty and especially war time. I felt so good seeing these young men act like they had leaders because at the end of Vietnam many troops were careful not to be in uniform.

Since our current POTUS fires every General whose opinion ever differs, It's hard to tell if there will be anyone left at a high level who might be qualified.

Probably. The trend for the CiC to have served has always been around... but that's mainly because we have had a major military conflict every 10-15 years since this country was founded.

Frankly, I don't know why anyone would want the job. Especially a combat veteran. I sure as hell wouldn't want to be the President.

I think we will. It might not happen right away... George Bush Senior was elected after how many decades after the war... So I defiantly think we will, however with the way things are going there might be a bigger war that overshadows this one...

Besides, correct me if I am wrong, but every General who ever ran during the final/primary election campaign (not trying to get nominated on a party's ticket) has won. (McCain was not a General and Clark didn't get the nomination...)

Will one become President who has served in OIF/OEF? That is a good question. I think the problem today will be that the good chunk of the populace will be of the mind set that says, "He served in a war. Why should I vote for them? I do not think that they would make a good President. I want a president that will provide for me." That is typical of the mind set of those that want the government to provide for them. And they see the military vets that are in office as taking that away from them.

Would it be good that the next President have military service/served in a war zone. Yes it would. That means they have knowledge of what it takes to protect and defend this country. After the cold war, we shrank our armed forces without recapitalizing/modernizing them. Yes, we did get the F-22, and the Navy did get new Submarines and surface ships (Carriers, Cruisers, destroyers, and Frigates). But the modernization of forces should have been done along side of the draw down. Not oh we can take care of anyone with what we have. We need a President that understands that and can tell congress to F itself when they say we do not need to modernize. When they say, "we want to spend more money on things like welfare, education, etc. But we want to cut defense spending." Instead of reforming those programs.

So we need a someone who can tell congress that they should be following the Constitution and not what someone that believes in social justice wants. Because that is exactly what is going on now.

Great and interesting graphic. Really puts things into an interesting view.

We need one

MAJ Laurie H.
I doubt it. Given our recent history, veterans don't seem to be overly popular Presidential candidates.

Will we? I think those chances are good considering we have veterans already serving in many levels of government. The deeper question is, does it give that candidate any special creds?