about evading the draft, slandering Senator John McCain and other prisoners of war, and publicly feuding with Gold Star parents Khizr and Ghazala Khan. Of this discrepancy, Gallagher said, "What’d once been sacred territory in American politics is now anything but." In 2015, journalist James Fallows described the contemporary American's attitude toward their military as "we love the troops, but we’d rather not think about them". Three years later, Gallagher noted that when given the opportunity to elect Vietnam veterans (Al Gore, McCain, and John Kerry), the US electorate declined. He called this emblematic of the public's "vague sense of gratitude for service members" that eschews interest or understanding: Thank you for your service,' but spare the details, please." Future With the all-volunteer United States Armed Forces of 2018 comprising only 0.5% of the US populace, and "the inherent politicization of the wars [current and future politicians] fought in", Gallagher doubted the viability of future veteran-presidents; "If a Global War on Terror veteran does someday lead the White House, it’ll be in spite of their time in uniform, not assisted by it." Politics Asset George Washington, William Henry Harrison, Ulysses S. Grant, and Dwight D. Eisenhower were all career soldiers who benefited from their popularity as successful wartime general officers. Áine Cain with Military.com called veteran presidents "fitting", given their responsibility at the head of the military's command hierarchy. Detriment Military service has also been a political millstone for individuals seeking the presidency. George W. Bush's service with the Air National Guard was a point of political contention in his 2000 and 2004 campaigns. Kerry's tours in Vietnam were similarly questioned. McCain's 2000 and 2008 presidential campaigns saw the retired captain's service used against him. Donald Trump's five deferments from conscription during the Vietnam War dogged his first presidential campaign. Joe Biden received criticism during his 2020 presidential campaign for his five student draft deferments. Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump all received criticism for deploying the military into combat while having not served in that capacity themselves. Policy As noted in The Atlantic, presidents' military histories influence their policy-making in office. List of presidents See also List of presidents of the United States by military rank References military service United States presidential history