Donald Trump’s ‘warrior ethos’hides his repeated refusal to serve in the military during the Vietnam War, according to critics.
The US PresidentHis record has been questioned following his decision to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War in an effort to remove 'wokism'.
He had previously stated that the old name was "too defensive," whereas the new name, last used in 1947, brought back a period when "we won every war."
The action faced backlash from Navy veteran and former NASA astronaut Captain Mark Kelly, who remarked: 'Only someone'who avoided the draft would like to change the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War.
Historical records seem to support Captain Kelly's assertion that the chief executive bypassed the draft during the 1960s.
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Records stored in US archives indicate that he was granted student deferments during his time at university, and later received a medical exemption after completing his studies.
At the age of 79, Trump underwent eight military service evaluations but was never drafted. He failed to meet the requirements due to a physical examination conducted by the armed forces, as indicated in one of the documents.
Even though the specific cause is not mentioned, Trump has previously indicated that a bone spur — located on one or both of his heels — was the reason.
Another paper further raises doubts about why he was not summoned — mentioning birthmarks on both of his heels.
Professor David Dunn, who holds the position of international politics chair at the University of Birmingham, stated: 'Trump has not released his medical records and has never undergone surgery to remove the bone spur, indicating that this claim is not genuine.'
‘His former lawyer Michael Cohentestified before Congress that Trump said to him, "You think I'm foolish, I wasn't going to Vietnam."
The other side of this is the disrespect Trump has demonstrated towards the military, such ashis remark regarding the former Navy pilot John McCain,Who was detained in a prisoner of war camp, when he remarked, "I prefer people who weren't taken prisoner."
There is a lengthy history of Trump's complicated connection with the armed forces, and this reflects his disregard for the concept of military service.
Subsequently, US President Harry Truman named the organization as the Department of Defense in 1949.
Even though the existing stamp is outlined in legislation, the executive order brings in a 'secondary title', as per aWhite House document.
The Trump administration is pushing for a 'warrior spirit' within the Pentagon, with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stating they are 'not concerned with woke nonsense or political correctness,' as his position has now been renamed from Secretary of Defense.
US leaders who skipped the draft?
Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Joe Biden, and George W. Bush all did not serve during the Vietnam War. Clinton was granted educational deferments while he was studying in England, and W. Bush secured a highly sought-after position in the 147th Texas Air National Guard as a pilot, which made him ineligible for the draft. Biden was given student deferments and a '1-Y' classification, indicating he could only be called upon in the event of a national emergency.
Dr. Laura Smith, an expert in American presidential history from the University of Oxford, stated:Although being called a "draft dodger" used to be considered politically explosive, the capacity of politicians to serve as commander in chief irrespective of their military service appears to have turned into a pattern, one that is expected to persist given the widespread disapproval of America's overseas engagements.
Trump defended his latest choice to use the War label as a way to revisit past glory. Nevertheless, the Department of Defense has been around since the end of World War II – the whole time America has been the world's leading superpower.
The War Department was established during George Washington's administration and managed affairs throughout the long period until the end of the 19th century, when the United States lacked the capability to engage or effectively rival traditional global powers like Britain, which still dominated maritime supremacy.
It appears that once more, this executive choice is based on a theoretical view of history, instead of actual evidence.
Apart from the rebranding effort — an expensive process that includes updating signs and websites across the globe — Trumphas pledged to introduce individual combat to the White House in the coming yearin the form of a UFC competition.
According to Dunn, there is a gap between the warrior image and the actual facts found in the service record documents.
"We need to consider what Trump's military background reveals about contemporary politics or the United States as a whole," he stated.
It indicates that an individual who has been proven to have avoided the draft can still become president, showing it is not a barrier to serving.
It revolves around performance; it appears that Americans tend to favor candidates, or presidents, who are more about presentation than substance.
What we currently have with the Department of War is significantly different from the reality that Trump is showing favoritismVladimir Putin,Who is the adversary of human rights, international law, and is being sought for war crimes?
It's given up for the show of Trump imitating Ronald Reagan and acting like a great leader on the global stage.
Trump received five deferments: four while he was a student and one due to health issues, believed to be related to bone spurs.
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In 2018, the daughters of New York podiatrist Dr. Larry Braunsteinstated that he had identified the future president with the condition to assist him in avoiding conscriptionas a 'favor' to his property developer father, Fred Trump.
It is reported that the podiatrist diagnosed the condition in the 1960s when he was operating from an office managed by the Trump family.
Trump Jr., who completed his education at the New York Military Academy, later mentioned that a physician issued a 'very strong letter' regarding his condition, although he could not remember the individual's name.
Bony growths known as bone spurs develop near joints and may interfere with movement or compress nerves.
Regarding high school, it appeared that they did not prevent Trump from participating in sports such as baseball, football, and soccer.
He also attended Fordham University and the University of Pennsylvania, with his medical ineligibility applying after he completed his studies.
Seasoned White House watcher Mike Tappinwas in the United States in 1968, during the country's most violent year in Vietnam, when it suffered the loss of nearly 17,000 troops.
At that time, Trump's record indicated he was only considered eligible for service for four months before being labeled 1-Y — a classification reserved for individuals deemed suitable for national service during times of national emergency.
In 1972, he was ultimately classified as 4-F, indicating he did not meet the criteria, possibly due to the elimination of the 1-Y category.
"Trump graduated in 1968, during the peak of the Vietnam War, meaning he would have been eligible for military service, just like other men of his age," Tappin stated.
But naturally, the history of American politics demonstrates that wealthy individuals managed to escape it. Another well-known instance of a president who bypassed the draft is Bill Clinton.
Senator Tammy Duckworth, a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor who sustained severe injuries in Iraq, openly referred to Trump as "cadet bone spurs" and accused him of avoiding military service.
So it is possible to argue that Michael Cohen's statements in the Senate were accurate; Trump had no desire to go to Vietnam.
Tappin, an honorary fellow at Keele University and co-writer of American Politics Today, is one of the analysts who think that Trump's refusal to serve in the military was due to his wealthy father.
'One might infer that his father Fred secured the deferment for him,' he stated.
Tappin also supported Truman's initial focus on defense, rather than warfare.
"Trump has claimed that the Defense Department 'became woke,'" he stated.
‘Truman was far from being aware.’
He was part of the armed forces during the First World War, held the rank of major, and was a steadfast American leader. He would be upset if he knew what Trump has stated regarding his choice.
In an interview, Trump mentioned that he had 'spurs' on the back of his feet, which at that time 'made it difficult for him to walk long distances.'
He has also mentioned that he had a "very, very high draft number" in 1969, which the military draft lottery did not reach, as it apparently proceeded in ascending order through a list of qualified men.
In 2019, Trump mentioned to Piers Morgan that he had never been a supporter of the Vietnam War but would have felt proud and delighted to have participated in it.
The leader is scheduled to arrive in the UK this week.for a three-day official visitwhere he will be accommodated by King Charles at Windsor Castle.
has sought the White House's response.
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