Donald Trump, the 45th and 47th Presidents of the United States, did not serve in the military. However, he attended a military-themed boarding school and received draft deferments during the Vietnam War era.
New York Military Academy
Trump attended the New York Military Academy (NYMA) from 1959 to 1964. NYMA is a private boarding school that emphasizes military discipline and education. His leadership skills marked Trump’s time at NYMA, and he was promoted to captain of the cadet corps.
Draft Deferments
During the Vietnam War, Trump was eligible for the draft, but he received four draft deferments:
- 1964: Trump received a medical deferment after his doctor diagnosed him with bone spurs in his heels.
- 1965: Trump was deferred from service because he was a student at Fordham University.
- 1966: Trump was deferred again because he was a University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School student.
- 1968: Trump was deferred for a fourth time and was eventually classified as 4-F, making him ineligible for military service.
Controversy Surrounding Trump’s Military Service
Trump’s military service, or lack thereof, has been controversial and criticized. Some have questioned the legitimacy of his medical deferment, and others have criticized him for not serving in the military during war.
In His Own Words
Trump has spoken publicly about his military service, saying:
“I was a very good student, and I didn’t want to get killed, perhaps. I didn’t want to be killed, I didn’t want to be wounded, I didn’t want to be downtown, I didn’t want to be in the city, I didn’t want to be in the trenches. I wanted to be a winner.”
Despite not serving in the military, Trump has been known to praise the military and has made military issues a central part of his political platform.
