Author Topic: Who was the most military friendly president? (Read 1065 times)

DalesCarpentry · « **on:** March 17, 2009, 06:14:28 AM »

Who do you think was the most military friendly president? I think Ronald Reagan was. I also think he had much to do with advancements in our weapons to this day. He made our military stronger. JMO Dale

rockbilly · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2009, 06:34:02 AM »

I agree. He did a lot to improve conditions and pay, as well as advance the weapons systems. I had just retired when he was elected, but saw a raise in my retirement pay within the first, the largest raise that had ever been given to retired military. (about 8% if I remember correctly) He pulled the B1=b out of the trashy and started production on it almost immediately, he also restarted several programs for the Army and Navy.

LONGTOM · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2009, 09:01:47 AM »

YEP, you said it.
THE GIPPER R.R.
Along with
WASHINGTON
JEFFERSON
T.R.

LONGTOM

teamnelson · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2009, 09:57:41 AM »

+1 Reagan.

I've served under Reagan, both Bushes, Clinton, and now Obama. I hope to serve under another President 4 years from now if not sooner.

With Ronnie we all had a feeling of "rightness" about what we did - good morale. I'm just hoping I'll still have a retirement and medical benefits when Obama is done.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2009, 10:33:20 AM »

Teddy Roosevelt built a big army for his time. He also sent the Navy around the world to just to show it off!

But R. Reagan built a 600 ship Navy and brought the Military to a level that made the ruskies spend their self into bankruptsy just trying to keep up!

Now the ruskies are laughing about what our pwesident is gonna do to our Military

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2009, 11:33:11 AM »

I miss Ronny, He was deffinatly the best I ever worked for.

Cement Man · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2009, 01:11:53 PM »

TR and Reagan come to mind.

Certainly the current "Commander-in-ughhhhhrargh" (sorry, I just can't get it out) isn't, as he is proposing that wounded GI's use their own insurance to pay for medical care. I can't remember anyone worse anyway.

From Military.com today...........

http://www.military.com/news/article/vets-rap-wh-plan-on-paying-for-care.html?wh=wh

nomosendero · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2009, 01:25:12 PM »

1. George Washington

2. Teddy Roosevelt

3. Ronald Reagan

billy_56081 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 17, 2009, 02:12:14 PM »

I have to agree with Nomo.

There is a cool story about TR where he did his own test on a new bayonet, and trashed their new design.

gstewart44 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2009, 04:05:48 AM »

In modern history it would definatley have to be TR. He overcame childhood illnesses and became strong enough to become a soldier and a leader of soldiers.

He was an avid outdoorsman, and had a keen vision of the United States in the future for the rest of the world. He built up and promoted his Big Stick (our military) for the world to see.

Although he was admittedly a mediocre marksman, he had an enormous interest in firearms for the sportsman and the soldier.

Wish we had another President out of this mould.

magooch · « **Reply #10 on:** March 18, 2009, 04:07:29 AM »

I agree pretty much with what has already been said about Raegan, but I also liked the way the first Bush kicked the crap out of Saddam's military, which was really why the Soviets threw in the towel and I think that Dubya deserves credit for bringing back a lot of respect for our warriors.

jager · « **Reply #11 on:** March 18, 2009, 04:40:08 AM »

I didn't personally know Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, or Teddy Roosevelt

, but would consider them top historic choices as some of the best "military friendly" presidents.
I too served under Reagan (among others) and consider him the "best of the best" during my lifetime. He not only supported all the military services, but sincerely honored each and every member in word and deed.

slim rem 7 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 18, 2009, 04:50:51 AM »

im a reagan man myself.. but i don t condem bush as he delt with contoversial times and an hostile media.. he said it after 9-11... its total war.. i knew then the people were not understanding what he meant..how he managed to hold to his guns thru all the negative hype by the liberal media i have not a clue.. if it had been me,, i mighta went back to drinking mabe..slim

Oldshooter · « **Reply #13 on:** March 18, 2009, 05:20:10 AM »

Quote from: slim rem 7 on March 18, 2009, 04:50:51 AM

im a reagan man myself.. but i don t condem bush as he delt with contoversial times and an hostile media.. he said it after 9-11... its total war.. i knew then the people were not understanding what he meant..how he managed to hold to his guns thru all the negative hype by the liberal media i have not a clue.. if it had been me,, i mighta went back to drinking mabe..slim

+1 Slim

I know mistakes were made but NO administration is perfect! I feel like a lot of people just started believing the Media hype and watching too much TV(a lot of them are on this site) . I did not agree with everything he did but We will soon miss "W" If we haven't started already!

jlchucker · « **Reply #14 on:** March 18, 2009, 11:01:21 AM »

Let's not forget the first time that the navy was really modernized. It happened during the administration of Chester A. Arthur, one of our great but forgotten presidents, who was born about 10 miles away from my home. The building of TR's "Great White Fleet" commenced during Chester A's administration. Look it up. Chester came into the Presidency because he was a pain in the butt to the Tammany Hall mob. So to get him out of the way, they put him up for VP to James A. Garfield. Garfield was assassinated, and Chester came to the throne. The navy thing was about the only thing his administration really did. Some think Chester was great because when he got to the White House he looked around, saw that not much needed doing, so he pretty much did nothing--or so they say about him around here. Since then, we've had too many get into the White House, try and screw with things, and end up screwing up the works. A worthless bunch with too few exceptions. A couple of the worst have been the last couple--and Obama's trying hard for the bottom of the list.

Sourdough · « **Reply #15 on:** March 18, 2009, 11:38:08 AM »

Reagen by far was the best.

One thing I do have to say, and many may disagree with me. But the lower ranks received the largest pay raise under Nixon. It was either in 74 or 75. For decades the pay raises had been given by percentages. 3% of $50 a month(airman's pay) was a lot less than 3% of $500 a month (Sr NCOs pay). The higher ranks got good pay, but the lower ranks pay was really low, and getting lower with each pay raise. And as the years went by the differences continued to get more and more out of proportion. Especially when compared with the civilian world. Then in 74 or 75 I got a good raise as mid level NCO. But my Airmen got a really good pay raise that brought them up to decent levels. The lower your rank the higher the raise that year. The Senior NCOs, and Officers, raised the roof because they got nothing during that pay raise.

I worked Presidential support at that time at Key Biscayne. I remember overhearing President Nixon ask one of my troops Airman Richie if the new pay raise helped. So in my opinion, President Nixon was aware of the military and our pay disparady plight back then.

LunaticFringeInc · « **Reply #16 on:** March 18, 2009, 05:56:51 PM »

Without reservation...Uncle Ronnie. Great CIC and some of the most enjoyable years I had in the military. Just too bad Clinton neutered it.

Prehaps one day we will once again have a dynamic dou like Unlce Ronnie and Aunt Margret to lead the free world.

muskeg13 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 19, 2009, 12:13:39 AM »

I too proudly served under President Reagan, endured Clinton, and retired under President Bush II, with our military basically in good shape but...

There has only been one President to have ever earned the Congressional Medal of Honor.

ROOSEVELT, THEODORE
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Organization: U.S. Army
Place / Date: At San Juan Hill, 1 July 1898

Citation:
Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt distinguished himself by acts of bravery on 1 July, 1898, near Santiago de Cuba, Republic of Cuba, while leading a daring charge up San Juan Hill. Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt, in total disregard for his personal safety, and accompanied by only four or five men, led a desperate and gallant charge up San Juan Hill, encouraging his troops to continue the assault through withering enemy fire over open countryside. Facing the enemy's heavy fire, he displayed extraordinary bravery throughout the charge, and was the frst to reach the enemy trenches, where he quickly killed one of the enemy with his pistol, allowing his men to continue the assault. His leadership and valor turned the tide in the Battle for San Juan Hill. Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

We need more do-ers and fewer talkers.

omcforever · « **Reply #18 on:** March 20, 2009, 12:29:30 AM »

RR/Got us one of the biggest pay raises in a long time in the military in the early 80,s. Took good care of us GI,s.

I SERVED PROUDLY!

Oldshooter · « **Reply #19 on:** March 20, 2009, 05:11:04 AM »

Quote

We need more do-ers and fewer talkers.

That was a mouth full pardner! If you are gonna be the commander in chief it might be a good idea to know what in the hell you are commanding!

briarpatch · « **Reply #20 on:** March 20, 2009, 06:37:05 AM »

Jefferson Davis

Tackleberry · « **Reply #21 on:** March 20, 2009, 07:01:47 AM »

Ronnie definitely was popular among us military guys. We loved him, and we liked George H. Bush alot too.
They both made the military feel again that we were valued and honored.

However..Congress votes raises and benefits, and pay raises were a result of (yeech) mostly Democrat majority Congresses not Republican Congressman. I vote Republican primarily becuase of the 2nd amendment stance of the Democrat party, but I have been dissappointed with the walk the walk of Republicans in Congress when it comes to actually voting in benefits for the military or Retirees, VA money for Hospitals, increased death benefits, VA disability dual compensation issues, and housing and education programs. We had a Republican majority from 1994 through 2006, and many of the things I mentioned above were not championed by Republicans but by the Democrats.

I am still paying for my own disability payment as my VA disability check is deducted from my retirement pay. Republicans had ample opportunity to fix that one (as an example), but have not fix it entirely. Of course they do not have a problem with dual compensation when it applies to them. John McCain draws military retirement pay, disability and Senate pay.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #22 on:** March 20, 2009, 08:21:21 AM »

Quote

I am still paying for my own disability payment as my VA disability check is deducted from my retirement pay. Republicans had ample opportunity to fix that one (as an example), but have not fix it entirely. Of course they do not have a problem with dual compensation when it applies to them. John McCain draws military retirement pay, disability and Senate pay.

That Sucks, Is that universal for all retirees, Is MCcain getting it because he was a POW or Senator?

Tackleberry · « **Reply #23 on:** March 28, 2009, 02:06:02 AM »

sorry, just rereadmy post...no it depends on disability percentage...Congress has fixed the 30% and above disability dual compensation issues, but us 20% and below are left hanging...