Presidential Appointments of Military Veterans

ABSTRACT How does an individual's military background, or lack thereof, affect his or her qualifications to serve in the president's cabinet? Military service is a unique experience that brings with it both basic and subject‐area‐specific skills, as well as a variety of opportunities to gain leadership experience. Moreover, military veterans tend to be accorded additional respect for their willingness to serve. All of these qualities are highly desirable in a presidential appointee. So when and why do presidents nominate military veterans, and how does this background affect the Senate's reaction? This paper employs data on the military backgrounds of cabinet‐level appointees and records of Senate confirmation hearings to assess when pres‐idents opt for veteran nominees, how departments fare under their stewardship, and how the Senate responds. The results have broad implications for civil‐military relations as well as bureaucratic politics.