Did Joe Biden Serve In The Military?

Joe Biden’s full name is Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. who is the current President of the United States and also the 46th. He was the 47th Vice-President of the United States under Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017. Let’s learn about ‘Did Joe Biden Serve In The Military?’.

Did Joe Biden Serve In The Military?

President Biden was not in the military or did not serve in the war. Joe Biden was pursuing his bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware and Law degree from Syracuse University when he received draft deferments five times but due to his medical conditions – ha had asthma when he was a teenager, he could not serve in the military. 

Why Could Joe Biden Not Serve In The U.S. Military?

Joe Biden had asthma and allergies due to which he was disqualified from military service when he was a teenager. He was classified as 1-Y (which is no longer used) during a physical test in April 1968 and given a conditional medical deferment, which meant he could only be drafted in case of a national emergency and not serve in the military. He received five draft deferments when he was a student during the Vietnam war before receiving a medical exemption. 

Did Joe Biden’s Children Serve In The U.S. Military?

Joe Biden had three children, two sons & one daughter, but his daughter Naomi Biden passed away in a car accident at the age of one along with his first wife, his son Beau Biden died of a brain tumor, and his son Robert Hunter Biden. 

Beau Biden or Joseph Robinette ‘Beau’ Biden III joined the U.S. military in 2003, served as a major in the Delaware Army National Guard, fought the Iraq war, and became an Army Major in the JAG Corps, which is a part of the army where the officers are also lawyers. He was deployed for the Iraq war in 2008-2009 and won the bronze star medal for his service. He also served as Delaware Army General from 2007-2015.  

Joe Biden’s second son, Robert Hunter Biden served in the U.S. military as well until 2014. He was a part of the U.S. Naval Reserve in 2013 but was discharged after testing positive for cocaine inside his body. 

Why Do People Think That Joe Biden Served In The Military?

Joe Biden is the Commander-In-General of the U.S. armed forces, which mostly confuses people to think that he served in the military. But both are different things. Some people mistake him serving in the military for his son Beau Biden, who served in the military as a Major in the Delaware Army National Guard and was deployed in the Iraq war in 2008-2009. Also, the fact that he received five student draft deferments in his teenage years during the Vietnam War is often perceived as he served in the military, but we now know that he could not because of his medical ailments.

Joe Biden Received The Presidential Medal Of Freedom

In 2017, ex-President Barack Obama awarded Joe Biden, the Vice-President back then, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is considered the highest honor in the United States. He was awarded this medal for his contributions to the security and national interest of the U.S., working towards world peace, and various other endeavors for the citizens. 

Joe Biden In The Role Of Commander-in-Chief of The United States

The President of the United States has the added responsibility of being the Commander-In-Chief of the country’s armed forces and navy. The prime responsibility of the Commander-In-Chief of the United States is the safety and security of the country and its citizens. ‘Joe Biden became the 46th Commander-In-Chief of the United States on January 20, 2022, by the constitution, confirmed by the states and the court, and certified by Congress’. Joe Biden has been in the news and even considered unfit for being the Commander-In-Chief by many because of his withdrawal from Afghanistan. 

Conclusion

Joe Biden, the current President and Commander-In-Charge of the United States did not serve in the military, although he did receive draft deferments five times when he was a student but could not serve because of his medical exemptions due to asthma. His sons, Beau Biden and Robert Hunter Biden did serve in the military. 

Frequently Asked Questions

• What does the 1-Y classification in the U.S. military mean?

1-Y classification means the registrant is qualified for service only in times of war or national emergency. This classification was abolished by the U.S. military in December 1971.

• Who runs the United States military?

In the United States, the Commander-In-Chief runs the military and is also the President of the country.

• Who was the last United States President to serve in the military?

In the United States, the last President to serve in the military was George W. Bush