Why veterans run: military service in American presidential elections, 1789-2016

Veterans running for president

Explaining why veterans run

Early republic : George Washington through James Monroe

Antebellum generals : Andrew Jackson through the Civil War

Civil war generals and the bloody shirt : George McClellan through William McKinley

Early twentieth century : Theodore Roosevelt through Adlai Stevenson

The "greatest generation" : Dwight Eisenhower through Bob Dole

Mixed legacy of Vietnam : Bill Clinton through Donald Trump

Conclusion: Contemplating a future with fewer veterans in politics.