JIMMY CARTER MILITARY SERVICE: FROM SAILOR TO POTUS


By bblouin
For Jimmy Carter, military service was formative. Here he attends a ceremony for the change of command for the USS Jimmy Carter at Naval Base Kitsap - Bangor.

The military can help forge a wide range of careers through translatable skills and unique experiences. This can mean becoming a mechanic, pilot, doctor, or any number of other positions after military service. Even if you want to become President of the United States, enlisting is a great place to start. No, it’s not a requirement, but so far, a majority of those laying claim to the title of POTUS have served and President Jimmy Carter is no exception. Jimmy Carter’s military service would play an instrumental role in not only protecting our country while he was on active duty, but also in his role as a world leader. His experience led him to understand the power of the pen, talking things out, and that the alternative to diplomacy should be avoided whenever possible. Related: Sip Away With Sailor Jerry, the Navy Legend

Jimmy Carter: Military Service That Spanned Over 15 Years

Jimmy Carter’s military service would go on to give the 39th President of the United States a great deal of depth of knowledge and experience to pull from throughout his time in office. With a career spanning more than 15 years as a part of the U.S. Navy, President Jimmy Carter understood the intricacies of diplomacy and the very real threats of all-out warfare. President Jimmy Carter’s military service would begin after achieving his dream of graduating from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Afterward, he would go on to serve on a variety of ships including the USS Wyoming, USS Mississippi, USS Pomfret, and the USS K-1. If you include his time as a part of the U.S. Naval Reserve, that would mean his career as a Sailor spanned from 1946 to 1961. Working his way up to Lieutenant, Carter would hold multiple positions throughout his service while working in communications, electronics, and assisting with America’s nuclear submarine program. His time as a Sailor would also see him earning a variety of medals before ultimately being honorably discharged. Those medals include the American Campaign Medal, China Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and World War II Victory Medal. Through different capacities, Sailor Jimmy Carter helped serve the interests of America throughout both World War II and the Korean War. His serving in both the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean helped form a different view of the geopolitical world as well. His wide range of experience includes working to help retrieve radioactive material at Chalk River Laboratories in Canada after a partial meltdown. The event would play an integral role in Carter’s disdain for the creation of a neutron bomb and other nuclear weapons with the potential for mass destruction.

His Time as a Sailor Helped Shape His Leadership

Jimmy Carter's military service and combat experience were more than enough to help him lead the United States during one of its most stressful periods. The Cold War was in full bloom during his tenure, and thankfully, nobody ever pressed any big, red buttons. Suggested Read: Did Joe Biden Serve in the Military? As a Naval officer, for Jimmy Carter, military service in WW2 would see the future POTUS responsible for managing complex systems including nuclear programs. He’d carry this with him later as a part of the Atomic Energy Commission, but it was also a core reason why he understood that America should maintain its military while avoiding the full use of its power. The complexities that went on during Carter’s presidency would involve many conversations and incidents about nuclear weapons, both in development and in use. But ultimately, Jimmy Carter was able to guide our nation while bolstering defenses but not bringing our country through yet another massive world war. “War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each other's children.” -Jimmy Carter.

Jimmy Carter's Military Service Helped Form Diplomatic Agreements That Changed the World

Diplomacy, advocating for the rights and benefits of Veterans, and helping to improve human rights for those around the world are just some of Carter’s illustrious accomplishments. These accomplishments would even lead him to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. When it comes to Jimmy Carter, military service had a profound effect not only during his time as President but also afterward as he continued to serve as a diplomat. The Carter Work Project continues to positively impact the lives of Americans by providing affordable housing. Carter's many years of low-key service without ever seeking accolades or rewards is one of his most defining attributes. His legacy as an American is unrivaled as he has acted as a patriot virtually every step of the way. Read Next: The Antarctic Treaty Ensured That the Cold War Didn’t Get Colder


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