Military service and the course of honor

Ancient Romans were familiar with a concept referred to as cursus honorum, "the course of honor." Before becoming consul, the highest office in the Republic, Romans were expected to serve in a series of offices, beginning with quaestor. Here is a good website which explains things in more detail.

http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/romangvt.html

Military service was once considered a prerequisite for winning the presidency. This post is a response to a question asked by a friend, "Is military service a requirement for becoming president?" I had long since held the belief that, while not a prerequisite, it was something of a plus. I am now unsure of that. Please consider the following stunning fact.

The last time that a veteran beat a non-veteran for president was in 1968, when Richard Nixon narrowly defeated Hubert Humphrey. Richard Nixon served in the Navy during World War II, while Humphrey was a lifelong civilian.

Is military service irrelevant now?

Bill Clinton defeated medal of honor winner Bob Kerry, and bona fide war heros George H.W. Bush and Bob Dole. Al Gore was in Vietnam (albeit in a non-combat capacity), and was defeated by Texas National Guard Lt. George W. Bush. The latter seems poised to defeat decorated Vietnam veteran John Kerry, just as he dispatched POW and war hero Senator John McCain.

The last time a candidate with a more impressive war record than his opponent won was in 1988, when George H.W. Bush trumped Korean War veteran Michael Dukakis.

Please check out the military service of all of our presidents at the following site:

http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Military%20service%20of%20U.S.%20presidents

I would love to hear your reponses.