Even though presidents are not required to have military experience, it is certainly helpful if they do so. The president is asked to lead an entire country. Therefore, it is important for someone who runs for president to have leadership experience. One of the best ways to get that leadership experience is to serve in the military. Therefore, there are a lot of presidents who have been elected because of their military experience. Some of them even commanded an entire army during an active war, which makes them even more attractive if they are running for president.
There are several presidents who have served as Generals in the military before being elected president. For example, George Washington, the very first president of the United States, was the leader of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. In addition, he served in the British military during the French and Indian War. He was considered to be the overall commander of all armies during the American Revolution, and he went on to serve as president of the United States after the American Revolution was over.
Dwight D. Eisenhower also served as a general in the military before he was elected president. He served as a general during World War I, and he went on to serve as the Supreme Allied Commander of all forces in Europe. He led American, Canadian, French, and British forces in Europe against Nazi Germany. He was named the Supreme Allied Commander of the invasion of Europe, and he went on to be elected president.
The only other present to be considered the overall general of all armies was Ulysses S. Grant. He served as the supreme commander of all Union forces during the American Civil War, and he also served in the Mexican-American War. He went on to serve two terms as president of the United States as well.
There are many other presidents who reached the rank of General as well. For example, Andrew Jackson, who was the president of the United States in the middle of the 19th century, rose to the rank of major general. He served in the American Revolutionary War, but he also served in the War of 1812.
William Henry Harrison also rose to the rank of major-general. He served in the War of 1812, and he is also known for having the shortest tenure of any president in history. He died of pneumonia shortly after taking office.
Zachary Taylor also served as a major general. He saw a significant amount of military action. He served in the War of 1812 in addition to the Mexican-American War. He also served as a general in numerous campaigns against the Native Americans, which the United States displaced as it expanded westward. Other presidents to attain the rank of major-general include Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, and William Howard Taft.