Anybody thinking about pulling a Tom Cotton and joining the military? Forum

[MergerQueen]

What are the odds of shaking up a private career with a military stint and subsequent transition to politics?

[4LTsPointingNorth]

It was a more viable path into politics 15 years ago, but military experience isn't the political feather in the cap that it once was during the immediate post 9/11 era, so not worth pursuing a military career for the political resume advantage alone. You'd have to actually want to serve for it to be worth it in the broader context of your full professional career.

Plus being a JAG, assuming you want to join the military as a lawyer, provides even less of a potential political advantage (the most prominent politician today who was once a JAG is probably Lindsey Graham...).

Tom Cotton at least served as an infantry officer leading soldiers in actual combat in Iraq despite the fact that he had already graduated from law school and worked at Gibson Dunn prior to joining the Army. But even so, Republican voters don't seem to like him or even think of or talk about him much at all these days.

[Sackboy]

This is a top notch stupid idea. If you want to get into politics, run for office. A brain dead guy is the nominee in GA, a snake oil salesman is the nominee in PA, and a man without a spine is the nominee in OH.

[Anonymous User]

Plus being a JAG, assuming you want to join the military as a lawyer, provides even less of a potential political advantage (the most prominent politician today who was once a JAG is probably Lindsey Graham...).

DeSantis would like a word (it of course helps he was commissioned in Iraq and alongside the navy seals, and that a large part of his core constituency thinks he was a navy seal and won’t let the lamestream media tell them otherwise).

Cottons biggest asset was probably a strong connection to Arkansas. A Harvard degree plus powerful connections can go far in smaller states. Military stuff probably not required (it is a useful part of his narrative but not required).

in general, a lot more politicians were not in the military than were. If you want to get into politics, get into it. It’s not very hard to break through at the local levels— it just takes an actual desire to deal with local politics and small time political figures. Then you build up to state house then state senate etc. But like sitting on a school board while parents complain about kids using the litter boxes isn’t really a glamorous thing.

[Wanderingdrock]

Something that a lot of people don't consider when thinking about joining the military is how much being in it can really, really suck. If you're thinking JAG, the lifestyle is probably a lot easier than other areas, and you have a much shorter training period than, say, a combat unit would. But you're still subject to the military's whims of where to station you, and you're still locked in to a virtually unbreakable contract for years in a fairly rigid and often inscrutably bureaucratic structure.

Some people love it. Some people even love all of it. It can certainly be a rewarding experience. My own stint (combat unit, non-U.S. military but comparable) was a challenging, fulfilling, 40%-of-the-time absolutely miserable experience which I wouldn't give up for anything. But you really need to join for the right reasons, and it helps to know - really know, to the extent you can without having gone through it - what you're getting yourself into.

As other posters have pointed out, joining to improve your prospects in politics is not the right reason. For one thing, it isn't the ticket it might seem. And for another, "At least I'll have a higher chance of being elected to the town council" isn't the motivation that's going to keep you sane when you're months into a MUCH longer commitment and you find yourself in the middle of a weeklong field training exercise, having not showered in 6 days and having slept for 6 of the past 60 hours.

I know someone who was going through a tough time in their life and decided to join the Marines. They were days away from signing away years of their life to begin officer training when things came to a head and they were hospitalized. Turns out they needed medication and time, not whatever civilian society and marketing tells us the military would have given them.

So just... anyone thinking of this path, please step back and consider what you're saying to yourself. Joining the military could be the right path for you. But it also might not be, and it's a pretty colossal mistake if it turns out to be a mistake. Consider carefully, talk to the people you care about, try to get some insights from people who have followed the course you see for yourself, and be sure before you commit.

[Anonymous User]

To his credit, Cotton was an infantryman and earned his Ranger Tab. Tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He isn't of my political persuasion but one does not typically put one's self in harms way to that extent strictly to build a resume.

[mardash]

I never believed people would actually join the military intentionally to support a political ambition, but I’ve met multiple people who told me that’s why. Still seems kind of unhinged if I’m being honest.

[averagejoes]

I did it. Went full Tom Cotton after V5 / clerkship--combat arms not JAG (including IOC, etc.). Back at an "elite" but different firm. Worked out well. Loved it. Miss it. Don't regret any part of it (doing it or eventually leaving the military). If anyone on here is actually seriously considering it, feel free to DM me.

[Itsalovestory]

Mardash above, I don't see anything unhinged about it.

Look at what we do regarding class selection as undergrads at age 18 so that our GPA is not blown up by a hard grading teacher

Look at the LSAT prep classes we take

Look at the undergrad activities we engage in for no other purpose than to impress a Law School Admissions Director

Look at the money some of us spend on admissions consultants

Look at some of us who graduate college and then do a graduate degree, only to impress a Law School Admissions Director or buy time to take numerous LSAT prep classes

Need I continue?

[mardash]

I mean, if you told me you’re thinking of joining the military because your admissions counselor thought it would help you get into Yale or something I would also think that’s weird. But imo that would be marginally more grounded than you saying you’re enlisting because you want to be president.

Also for the record I think taking a graduate degree to give you time to LSAT prep is also unhinged.

[Wanderingdrock]

Mardash above, I don't see anything unhinged about it.

Look at what we do regarding class selection as undergrads at age 18 so that our GPA is not blown up by a hard grading teacher

Look at the LSAT prep classes we take

Look at the undergrad activities we engage in for no other purpose than to impress a Law School Admissions Director

Look at the money some of us spend on admissions consultants

Look at some of us who graduate college and then do a graduate degree, only to impress a Law School Admissions Director or buy time to take numerous LSAT prep classes

Need I continue?

All of this stuff is so different from joining the military that you'll forgive me if I don't think you're being serious. Only the bolded bit is anywhere close to as crazy, as another poster has pointed out.

[Itsalovestory]

Point well taken Mr Wandering