Politico Magazine - Congress at War: The Capitol Hill Ranks on Why They Enlisted and What It Means Now

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Elected office and military service have always been closely linked in American politics. But increasingly, when issues like sending troops to Syria or making deals with Iran come to the floor in Congress, they're decided by a majority of members who have never served themselves. In the late 1970s, as the World War II generation reached the peak of its political power, nearly four out of five members of Congress had served; today, it's fewer than one out of five (which is still far more than the single-digit rate in the general population). Who are the 102 members of Congress who have served in the military, why did they enlist and how does their experience change the way they govern? Politico Magazine asked the ranks on Capitol Hill to tell us.

Why did you originally decide to join the military?

"Always wanted to serve in uniform. When Desert Shield started, that was the time. I thought that, as a physician who specialized in emergency medicine and trauma, if my service meant one more troop made it home, it would all be worth it." --Rep. Joe Heck (R-Nev.)

"I was in the ROTC in high school after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and my class was activated when the Korean War broke out. I didn't want to do a desk job, so I signed up for pilot training--even though I'd never set foot on an airplane!" --Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas)

"I didn't decide; Uncle Sam did. I was drafted." --Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.)

"I was motivated to join in large part because my family needed the money. I would like to say how patriotic we were, but really what motivated me was the excitement my mother would get in receiving a check for my older brother." --Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.)

"Growing up in the shadow of Johnson Space Center and moving to Texas to welcome our last moon mission [Apollo 17] home, I wanted to be an astronaut. Combined with my love for Navy history and World War II flight ops, and unsatisfying degrees in college and law school, I joined the Navy and became a naval aviator." --Rep. Pete Olson (R-Texas)

"I dropped out of high school and enlisted." --Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.)

"Like tens of millions of Americans, my parents were immigrants. They were poor and did not speak English well. They went to flea markets and sold gifts to make ends meet. Eventually, through hard work, they opened six gift stores in shopping malls. My parents achieved the American dream; they went from being poor to a home and gave my brother and me an amazing education. I wanted to serve the country that gave so much to my family." --Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.)

"I wanted to serve. And I wanted to fly." --Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah)

"ROTC commission as a lieutenant upon graduation." --Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.)

"I needed a job. I was only 17 when I graduated from high school--did not turn 18 until November. By then, all the good full-time jobs were taken. So, I visited the recruiter, and the rest is history." --Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio)

"Like many who join our Armed Forces, I was motivated by my family's service and a desire to protect American families with peace through strength. My father served as a member of the Flying Tigers in India and China during World War II, which inspired my military service, as well as the service of my four sons, all of whom currently serve in the military." --Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.)

"I joined during the Reagan era. As cliché as it is, I just wanted to give back to my country. I felt like I owed it something." --Rep. Ralph Abraham (R-La.)

"I was prepared to serve my country and did not want to wait to be drafted." --Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas)

"I am a product of the draft." --Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.)

"My great uncle Pvt. Tommy Rooney, USMC, was killed on Guam during the Pacific Campaign in World War II. I was named after him, so I always thought about him and wearing the uniform. The JAG Corps gave me that opportunity after law school." --Rep. Tom Rooney (R-Fla.)

"I decided to join the military to give back to my country and help pay for college." --Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio)

"I love my country, and the mental and physical demands of the Navy SEALs was what I had been training for my whole life growing up in Montana. There's a reason Montana produces more SEALs than any other state. As a collegiate athlete, I enjoyed the mental and physical challenges Division I football presented. When a recruiter first told me about the Navy SEALs, I knew it was the right fit." --Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.)

"I wanted to show my boys the importance of military service in the hopes that each of them would serve. As a father, I thought I would have more credibility if I myself had served in some fashion." --Rep. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.)

"It is such an honor to wear the same uniform of all of those men and women who have come before me who have been willing to risk life and limb to defend our freedoms and liberties." --Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.)

"It was required by draft. But invaluable benefit." --Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.)

"I could have been drafted and had no input into my military future; or enlist and have some choices." --Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.)

"I was drafted." -- Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.)

"I had always had a desire to serve my country, but when my family starting growing, I knew that I needed to sacrifice for them. I was a public school teacher at the time, and it was sometimes hard to make ends meet. So I saw that I could serve my family and serve my country at the same time by becoming an officer." --Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.)

"I felt the calling to serve my country. My parents came to the United States from Mexico and Colombia, and this country treated them well. It gave my sisters and me the opportunity to get an education and succeed. I wanted to repay my country for how they treated my family and ensure that our values and freedom are intact for future generations." --Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.)

"I never had the chance to decide; I was drafted to serve my nation. While I received a deferment to attend school, I ultimately served in the United States Army in the years following the Korean conflict." --Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska)

"Service and challenge." --Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.)

"I was inspired by a number of close family members who were in public service. I admired the discipline and the sense of getting things done. In combat, there were many trying times, but joining the military was a decision I never regretted, and the lessons I learned in the military have benefited me throughout my life." --Rep. Paul Cook (R-Calif.)

"Since 1979, I saw our nation and our interests attacked time and again and felt the call to serve." --Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio)

"The late Rev. Peter Gomes at The Memorial Church at Harvard was a true mentor to me when I was in college. He instilled in me a commitment to service, saying that it's not enough to believe in service, or support those who serve--you ought to find a way yourself to serve. When I looked at different options after college, nobody inspired me more than the 18- and 19-year-olds who serve on the front lines of our nation's military. Serving with them in the Marines as we together served our country was the greatest honor of my life to date." --Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.)

"It was in my DNA to serve. I wanted to be a soldier from my youth." --Rep. Steve Russell (R-Okla.)

How does your service in the military change the way you do your job in Congress?

"I look at the best available talent on any given issue and try to build the strongest team possible. I was never the best sniper, diver, jumper or demolition expert, but I knew who was and recruited them on my team. Now in Congress, I look at all my available assets [colleagues] and work with those I think can help me get the job done, regardless of party." --Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.)

"Have a defined mission with clear goals and timelines. I still trust the staff, with as little oversight as possible. Do things to show them that their time is as valuable to you as it is to them. Don't be afraid to "fly solo.'" --Rep. Pete Olson (R-Texas)

"In Iraq, regardless of our differences, we were a team and fought together for a larger purpose: to protect our country, the American people and the freedoms we enjoy. My job in Congress is similar in that we all represent different constituencies, but we are all required to make decisions that impact all of us. You have to know when to compromise, and when to fight like hell and not back down." --Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.)

"During the nearly seven years I spent as a POW in the infamous Hanoi Hilton, my buddies and I decided that if and when we ever got out, we would quit just griping about our government and start working to make things better. It's imperative to always have a positive outlook, work hard and never give up." --Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas)

"My time in the Army gave me an understanding for what it takes to provide for our national security and what it means to our service members and their families." --Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.)

"I was assigned to a medical unit and was part of a group receiving men returning from theater headed to hospital care, many forever maimed with life-altering wounds. It made a strong impression because wounded men and body bags come back to home districts, not Washington, D.C., and accordingly, there is no more sacred vote than those surrounding war where life hangs in the balance." --Rep. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.)

"I show up on time." --Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.)

"In my platoon, we came from different parts of the country, with different backgrounds, different religious beliefs, different political beliefs--and yet we all put those differences aside. Fundamentally, I believe that's what the American people expect of Congress as well. We all ought to be able to come together in Washington and do what's best for our America." --Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.)

"The military taught me the importance of getting something done in a timely manner and the importance of completing a mission on time. My lieutenant would say, "If you don't, you die.' In many ways, life is the same. If you don't pay attention to a timeline, you lose out on the ability to accomplish the task at hand." --Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska)

"One way my service in the military changes the way I do my job is that I understand our next conflict is not a matter of "if' but "when,' and that we need to equip our military with the resources and tools they need to protect our nation at home and abroad." --Rep. John Fleming (R-La.)

"The military gave me structure and process. That reflects on the way I believe we should handle legislative matters. If we do it that way in any field, the results are usually better." --Rep. Ralph Abraham (R-La.)

"It makes you less concerned with politics, and more focused on what truly matters: the security of the American people. It also provides you discipline and strengthens your sense of duty." --Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas)

"The military taught me that teamwork is important, which is why I work with both Republicans and Democrats in Congress to get things done. It also taught me that everyone brings a different perspective, whether I agree with it or not, which helps me bridge the divide in Congress." --Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio)

"Using the "military decision-making process' is extremely valuable when making policy decisions." --Rep. Joe Heck (R-Nev.)

"During my time in the military, I learned just how bad the lack of will is among Iraqi military and law enforcement. The president's approach to defeating ISIS needs to evolve beyond this heavy reliance on the Iraqis to finish the job on the ground. They just will not do it alone." --Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.)

"My service taught me a lot of things--a lot about myself and a lot about character. One of these is that there is strength in unity, and weakness in disunity. Part of why our service members are so effective is that they are united behind a single cause. In Congress, the parties and the caucuses that are effective are the united ones." --Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.)

"I know firsthand what a vote to authorize war means to the lives of American families." --Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.)

"I understand the needs of both the military and the veteran, and that has helped me tremendously as a congressman. I am proud to serve on the House Committee on Veterans Affairs." --Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.)

"I think I better understand the challenges of serving as a Naval officer. In my case, I was on a two-year work duty commitment after being in the Navy ROTC at Ole Miss and was commissioned as an ensign the same day I graduated with a bachelor of arts degree. In all four years of ROTC, we trained as if we were going to be commissioned to serve in the Navy or the Marine Corps. So I was company commander in ROTC and had to teach first- and second-year students how to march and the necessities of discipline and military acumen. I was deployed off the West Coast as a Naval Reserve officer candidate in training. In Boston, on the ship I was assigned after graduation, I learned the challenges of commanding as an officer on the deck of a ship. I did that for 18 months and transferred to serve as a training officer in the Eighth Naval District in New Orleans. It was a wide range of duties, active duty and naval officer training. All of those taken together gave me experience that has turned out to be helpful as a U.S. congressman and U.S. Senator." --Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.)

"Solving problems, reading a solution quickly and relying on a team to get things done." --Rep. Steve Russell (R-Okla.)

"I give extraordinary attention to military active duty, reserve and National Guard, and their families." --Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.)

"The supreme sacrifice should only have to be made when the national security of our country is threatened and war has been declared." --Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.)

"I'm in regular contact with people who are still in the military--friends, family, people I served with, men and women I taught at West Point--and I look at every military issue through that lens. What they say or think weighs heavily on my mind." --Rep. Tom Rooney (R-Fla.)

"Memories of my service in Vietnam reinforce my understanding of the deep sacrifices men and women in uniform make every day. In this regard, we must ensure that they have all the resources they need to complete their missions and protect them at home and abroad. We also must make sure their families at home have everything they need." --Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.)

"It gives me clear insight into very complicated matters. National security is an extraordinary undertaking, and real-world experience in the trenches makes a difference." --Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah)

"Better insight." --Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.)

"The importance of command leadership. Clear objective and strategy and loyalty to those reporting to you." --Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.)

"Having served for 19 years both in the reserves and on active duty, it is clear America has the best military in the world. We are very good at defeating the enemy on the battlefield, securing air and space supremacy, and dominating the seas. Our country, however, is not very good at answering the next question, which is: What do you do next after using military force? For example, we took out Saddam Hussein in Iraq even though he was not a significant threat to the U.S. homeland. The United States and NATO took out Muammar Qadhafi in Libya even though he was not a threat to the U.S. homeland. Now both Iraq and Libya are in far worse condition, more people are dying and the Islamic State is building a stronghold. My military experiences teach me that if we as a country do not have a good answer to what do we do next after using military force, then we shouldn't use military force in the first place." --Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.)

"My service in the military gives me a unique perspective to the way I do my job in Congress when it comes to matters involving our troops and national security. We need more veterans in Congress, people who know what it's like to go into harm's way. You've got to have clear objective and a clear strategy." --Rep. Paul Cook (R-Calif.)

"My service solidified my respect for our freedom, and the struggle to preserve it. I know the cost of obtaining freedom, keeping it and the value of it." --Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio)

"Throughout my career, I attended many professional military courses, where I studied our nation's history and our many challenges. Through these studies, I came to believe that leadership is not about wearing fancy titles, sitting in big offices or always getting my way. Rather, it's about positively influencing the outcome, about getting results." --Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio)

"My sense of duty was heightened by the military giving me an intimate knowledge of the sacrificial service of our armed forces. The families of current and fallen warriors are our nation's constant obligation that cannot be ignored." --Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.)

Compared to other periods in history, is there a greater disconnect today between civilian Americans and the military?

"Public support for veterans has certainly improved since Vietnam. Long gone are the days when veterans were spat upon when they returned stateside. However, veterans still face many bureaucratic hurdles in obtaining their benefits they've earned. We still have a long way to go to ensure that the services we provide to our veterans are worthy of their valiant service to our nation." --Rep. Paul Cook (R-Calif.)

"The greatest disconnect between civilians and our troops was the Vietnam era. We're nowhere near that era. But we take the professionalism and power of our armed forces for granted. We have to constantly remind ourselves that the greatest force for freedom and peace in the world is the young American men AND women who volunteer to protect us from evil." --Rep. Pete Olson (R-Texas)

"Americans are proud of, and trust, our military. Our military consistently ranks at the very top of being the most trusted institution in the United States. But very few Americans, in today's day and age, have direct personal ties to our military through family, friends or having a military installation in or near their community. This is due to our military shrinking by 40 percent since the end of the Cold War, with less than 1 percent of the country serving in its armed forces." --Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.)

"Yes. With less than one-half of 1 percent of the population serving in uniform and after 14 years of war, a large part of the general population is either physically detached or mentally numbed to what our military is doing around the globe to assure our allies, deter our adversaries and respond to crises." --Rep. Joe Heck (R-Nev.)

"No. During the Vietnam conflict, for example, there was a much bigger disconnect. Most Americans today understand what happened on 9/11, and they know military action was necessary. Consequently, few Americans have been immune to the high cost of freedom, as they have watched their family members or friends either die or come back critically wounded from the war zone. Today's civilians are very sympathetic to the plights of our nation's heroes to get the care and benefits they have earned." --Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio)

"I wouldn't say there's a disconnect in all parts of the country--Texas and the district I represent have large numbers of veterans and are as patriotic as ever! There is somewhat of a disconnect in that the type of wars we fought in the past are different from the kind we fight today. It's harder to identify the enemy and it's harder to fight the enemy--especially when extremists don't think twice about strapping a bomb onto a child. It's our responsibility--and an important one at that--to educate younger generations about how unique American freedom is. I experienced the loss of freedom firsthand as a POW. I wasn't allowed the freedom of religion to worship my God (though I did); I wasn't allowed the freedom of free speech to talk with the other POWs (though I did). We can too often take for granted these basic but invaluable rights. As Reagan said, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.' That's why we have to continue to foster American patriotism and keep our country strong. And one of the simplest ways to do this is by supporting our troops, veterans and military families." --Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas.)

"I am extremely proud of our remarkable men and women who serve in our military, but the reality is that this is a shrinking percentage of the American population. Unfortunately, this has resulted in a growing disconnect between our military and civilian population. At one time, we had participation from nearly every American. Victory gardens, metal collections, saving stamps and bonds--everyone did their part to support our military. We simply don't do that anymore." --Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska)

"Yes. Today, too many Americans feel disconnected from war and from national service, and too many servicemen and women feel disconnected from the majority of Americans they serve. Meanwhile, few of the people making decisions about going to war have served themselves and understand the real human consequences of sending young Americans overseas. There have never been fewer veterans in Congress, and while I don't think military service should be a litmus test for running, I do think it's a perspective that is critical in times of war." --Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.)

"I think civilian Americans support the military very much." --Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.)

"I believe the connection is growing stronger. Just to think that 40-plus years ago, service members would return from combat to get spit on by so many civilians. Regardless of what we think about a conflict, we must always honor and be grateful for those men and women who serve." --Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.)

"Yes. The all-volunteer force is comprised of a very small percentage of the population. Therefore, fewer citizens have a personal interest in military matters and are not personally impacted." --Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.)

"Yes. In previous wars such as Vietnam and World War II, our nation had the draft. This made the war more real to civilian Americans since they had a good chance of being called on to serve." --Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.)

"Americans today memorialize the service of men and women in uniform but have much less of a daily understanding of both the efficiencies and the inefficiencies of a governmental agency that large. It, like any big bureaucracy, has aspects that aren't perfect. I believe if more people served, they'd have an appreciation for the ways in which the projection of force is a tool of national policy rather than a distant idol to be idealized and memorialized." --Rep. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.)

"The disconnect today is due to the fact that so few Americans actually serve." --Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.)

"I am grateful to represent South Carolina's 2nd Congressional District, where we have a rich military tradition. The district is home to Fort Jackson, the largest initial training facility for the U.S. Army, where the surrounding community was recently designated a "Purple Heart City' and the "Most Military-Friendly Community in America.' Fort Gordon, McEntire Joint National Guard Base and Shaw Air Force Base are located nearby, with many of their military and civilian employees living inside the 2nd District. South Carolina has the highest percentage of veteran-owned small businesses, and our National Guard veterans have one of the highest job placement rates in America. I believe that the 2nd District's respect and appreciation for our service members and their sacrifice prevents a disconnect between civilian Americans and our military." --Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.)

"Of course. No one believes that America is threatened. No sacrifice is requested of civilian America. Currently less than 1 percent of America's population is unfairly shouldering the burden of war." --Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.)

"Not necessarily. While we always can do better, I believe the American people have a good understanding of what our military members do for our country every day." --Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.)

"I think most civilians appreciate the sacrifice of our military members and their families." --Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah)

"Not many Americans serve." --Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.)

"There is an undeniable economic and cultural disconnect between many of those who volunteer to serve and those who choose to remain civilians. But what is more concerning to me is the disconnect between our political leadership that applauds our soldiers and veterans, but then won't provide funding to properly armored vehicles or health care when our servicemen and women come home. You can't send men and women to war without being prepared to take care of them abroad and give them the services they need when they return home." --Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.)

"I think people are less familiar with the military because far fewer people now serve in the military. But it does appear more people today are supportive of service members and understand the sacrifices of our women and men in the Armed Forces." --Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.)

"Yes, in some ways. Today, we fight extended wars without a peace treaty, and war is off the minds of most civilians unless a family member serves." --Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio)

"America has been at war for more than a decade. There are children in junior high who don't know an America not at war, and yet it seems like people easily forget that we do have troops serving abroad, putting their lives on the line for our freedoms. There is tremendous amount of support for our soldiers, airmen, marines and sailors--there are countless support groups and nonprofits for veterans--but I think we can and should be doing more. Also, I think as veterans, we can do a better job of providing support in our own community." --Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.)

"The current conflicts have made the public fully aware of the sacrifices of our veterans." --Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.)

"Fewer Americans, proportionally, are serving in the armed forces, and fewer are seeing combat, so fewer know what it is like. People are much more supportive of our troops now than they were when I served, and that's unequivocally a good thing. But sometimes veterans return home and feel like no one understands them because most people haven't experienced what they have. This can be a challenge not only in our policy debates, but also in helping our veterans to complete the transition back to civilian life." --Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.)

"There is less connection because a smaller percentage are serving. But there is more support and emotional connection to the troops than during Vietnam." --Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.)

"Unlike previous points in our history, less than half of 1 percent of our nation serves. There are even many Americans who have no relative that has served that they know well. Consequently, the American public relies on information from Hollywood, the media or regional opinion that could cause them to hold very inaccurate views about the military." --Rep. Steve Russell (R-Okla.)

"I hope there's a closer connection. An average citizen like myself should realize that the soldier is the only shield between us and a terrorist attack. That soldier is willing to be that bugger, and I think people appreciate that." --Rep. Ralph Abraham (R-La.)

"I don't think so." --Rep. Tom Rooney (R-Fla.)

"Yes and no. Because America has only about 1 percent of the population serving in the military, it is hard for many civilians to understand the sacrifices military families make. However, my experience is that after the Vietnam War, the public learned that they should support the military whether or not they support the war. You've seen that outpouring of support for the veterans of both Iraq and Afghanistan." --Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio)

"I believe so--and it's because such a tiny fraction of our population has shouldered the heavy burden of America's decade-plus wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As the father of decorated a Navy SEAL with three deployments to Iraq, I have a unique understanding of the challenges presented to these young men and women and their families. As a nation, we must work harder to help bridge the divide between our civilians and service members." --Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas)

What piece of advice would you give the next commander in chief about leading the U.S. military?

"Trust your military leaders. Too many military decisions in this administration begin with the State Department or unelected bureaucrats in the White House. We have an incredibly talented Chairman (Gen. Joseph Dunford) leading the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the next four years, and our next president would be well served to heed his advice on military issues." --Rep. Paul Cook (R-Calif.)

"If you're going to send us into battle, take the gloves off and let us win. If we are going to half-ass it, then I'd prefer us do nothing." --Rep. Tom Rooney (R-Fla.)

"Diplomacy should always be our first option. Most politicians only talk, not fight. I've fought; talking is far better than fighting." --Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.)

"Surround yourself with wise, experienced military and civilian advisers, and allow them to have direct access to you to give you the benefit of their candid and objective views and assessments." --Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.)

"Visit the troops." --Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.)

"The next commander in chief needs to be ready and willing to rebuild our military, which will mean increasing funding to grow the size of all the services and modernize their capabilities. It is crucial that any future president understand the importance of building a military that can deter or defeat two major theater conflicts simultaneously." --Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.)

"Demand candor from commanding officers, and weigh heavily their recommendations." --Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.)

"The use of our military in combat should first require declaration of war. I have long called for reinstating the military draft, simply because I believe strongly that a national decision to go to war must also include a broad commitment to share its burdens. Whenever Congress decides to fund a war or other U.S. combat activities, it must provide a means to pay for it--then and there--not later. If we don't have the will to fully share the burdens of war, then we have no right to send our sons and daughters into harm's way." --Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.)

"My advice is: 1. Be judicious in the use of military force. 2. When military force is required, use overwhelming force. 3. Do not micromanage military leaders. 4. Ensure your battle plans will win the conflict and win the peace." --Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio)

"I would encourage the next commander in chief to be more cooperative and communicative with Congress, particularly when entering a conflict." --Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska)

"The same advice my commanding officer at Patrol Squadron 17, Cmdr. Robert J. Quinn, gave me before I was grilled to be given the responsibility to lead a crew of 12 all over the world, ready to stop a Russian submarine preparing to wipe out an American city with a nuclear missile: "Always remember that common sense and communication will solve 95 percent of the challenges you face in the Navy and life.'" --Rep. Pete Olson (R-Texas)

"What matters isn't the size of our military but our strength. We need to invest more in STEM education so that we have the best technology possible to fight back against America's enemies and threats. Wars aren't fought with boots on the ground the way they were 20 years ago, and in order to keep up with today's conflicts, we need better technology, better weapons and better training for our men and women so that they can keep up with these technological advancements. In addition, we need to ensure that our men and women are getting the care they need, both during battle and when they return home. We can't expect people to perform at their best if they're not getting the necessary care to do so." --Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.)

"If you don't have a good idea of what to do next after using military force, then don't use it in the first place." --Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.)

"If at war, understand what it takes to win: Set a goal, define victory and fully support the effort. Leave no doubt that you respect the troops and appreciate their service." --Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio)

"As commander in chief, the president must set specific goals and then articulate what the military must do--not what it won't do! Too often President Obama gives the impression of being apologetic for what the military is being asked to undertake. This reluctance and uncertain trumpet is not the message that troops look for and respect. Having said that, our professional military will still go all out to achieve their mission." --Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.)

"My advice would be to lead and not waiver in the support of our allies, because it is this president's wavering that has emboldened America's enemies over the past six years and has weakened our standing around the world. This administration has put us in a situation where our allies don't trust us and our enemies don't fear us. The next commander in chief must reassert America's influence and lead a more engaged foreign policy." --Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas)

"Don't commit them to a task without the full weight and support of the nation. If committed, give them the best tools and involve the public in their support effort. Once committed, let them finish the job and follow up with diplomatic and economic national power." --Rep. Steve Russell (R-Okla.)

"My advice for the next commander in chief: Listen to your military advisers. Listen to your generals. They are the experts. Even if you have a commander in chief who has served in the military, that person still isn't engaged on a daily basis. The generals will know best." --Rep. Ralph Abraham (R-La.)

"Diplomacy should always be the first option, and every mission should have a clear, achievable objective that is in the interests of the United States." --Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.)

"Strong economy, better efficiency in military." --Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.)

"I hope the next commander in chief understands the enormously positive influence the United States has had on world affairs, and is willing to reclaim that ability to bring stability and security to important parts of the world." --Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah)

"Remember, it is the president's constitutional duty to provide a strong national defense. Don't insert politics into national security. Listen to your ground commanders. They know better than anyone what our military's needs are. Have somebody strong at home who can provide you with needed support "off the battle field.'" --Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.)

"Build a real relationship with our allies, one based on trust. Ask our military leaders to assess the risks to our national security, then work with Congress to provide them what they need to get the job done. Don't use the military as a political pawn." --Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio)

"War is a terrible thing; it is a curse. But we are more likely to avoid war by being strong than by being weak. We are more likely to avoid war by keeping our word to our allies and meaning what we say to our enemies than we are simply trying to be everybody's friend. When ill-intentioned leaders see weakness, they see an opportunity." --Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.)

"Use good judgment and provide thoughtful leadership in keeping our country safe and secure." --Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.)

"Our next commander in chief needs to understand our role in the world, and how we're perceived through our actions. Terrorist threats do not go away if we ignore them. The next commander needs to have a coherent strategy for dealing with crises, instead of being indecisive and reluctant to engage." --Rep. John Fleming (R-La.)

"I'll quote Reagan again: "Peace through strength.'" --Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas.)

"My advice would be to tell the truth, which is that Paul Kennedy in The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers was right--that economic supremacy is the precursor to military supremacy. Accordingly, getting federal spending to a sustainable level in Washington is, in fact, a key part of our ability to sustain a military presence around the world." --Rep. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.)

"I believe we should work and want to have the most powerful military, but hope we never have to use it. I strongly believe the military should know they are 100 percent supported by the commander in chief." --Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.)

"Do not compromise on national security for purely budgetary reasons. The world is dangerous, and we must always be prepared for anything that might threaten our national interests and security." --Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.)

"We need a president who will lead with a stronger, more consistent foreign policy. We also need our commander in chief to put more faith in military leadership who have all of the combat experience. It's bad policy to try to micromanage too much operationally and tactically from a desk in the Oval Office." --Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.)

"While [Carl] von Clausewitz said, "War is the continuation of policy (politics) by other means,' when considering the welfare of our men and women in uniform, their families, our veterans and survivors, don't let politics drive your decisions." --Rep. Joe Heck (R-Nev.)

The security threat the United States should be paying more attention to is…

"Without a doubt, we are not paying enough attention to the threat of cyberwarfare. Cyber actions--nuisance, criminal or acts of war--have the potential to cause catastrophic physical harm to the United States, our economy and our military capacity." --Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.)

"The top threat that gets very little focus from Washington these days is what Adm. Mike Mullen identified as the biggest threat to the U.S.: the American debt." --Rep. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.)

"Education, racism, jobs, criminal justice, poverty, income inequality." --Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.)

"Vladimir Putin, and in particular his use of asymmetric warfare. He is a ruthless bully who wants nothing more than to conquer and exploit Eastern Europe for his own benefit. He has thousands of nuclear weapons and one of the best armies in the world. He is extorting the Ukrainian people via the natural gas market, and he is regularly testing our air defenses, all without any formal declaration of war. The Ukrainian people want freedom, and they want democracy, but they are begging us for help." --Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.)

"North Korea. Not only does North Korean have nuclear weapons, but their leadership appears to not be rational." --Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.)

"Russia's increased Arctic presence. The Arctic has vast natural resources and security value, and Russia is drastically increasing its footprint in the region." --Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska)

"Border security." --Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio)

"Cybersecurity and the security of our power grid." --Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.)

"There are two: nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and cybersecurity." --Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio)

"Russia and China." --Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas.)

"We face a significant set of threats on all fronts, including the continued rise of ISIS, but I believe the most serious is a nuclear-armed Iran. Such irreversible damage would have devastating consequences to the security of the Unities States and our allies. I believe we must do everything we can to prevent a nuclear Iran, and we must work to ensure the Obama administration does not agree to a bad deal that leads us down that path. We must also take a more decisive and robust approach to defeating ISIS. We need a more vigorous strategy to eliminate ISIS." --Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas)

"Iran & ISIS." --Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.)

"The southern border is the nexus between national security and immigration. This administration is naive if it believes ISIS is not sending militants across the border and planning attacks against the United States homeland. A close second place is cybersecurity. Our networks are under attack 24 hours a day by foreign nationals and rogue organizations. An attack on our power grid would be catastrophic." --Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.)

"China." --Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.)

"Apathy! There is an evil force that is probing at the perimeter fence of freedom. And, if we don't understand that, that evil wants to destroy the American dream, eliminate our values and change our way of life, we are burying our collective heads in the sand. America is the most powerful, most economically viable "city on the hill.' If we want to stay that way, then we need to ensure we have a defense system to overcome any and all threats." --Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio)

"The reality of Islamist terrorism abroad and at home." --Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.)

"Our economic strength at home is key to our diplomatic and military strength abroad. We should be investing far more in education as well as our technological and economic development so that we have the resources to support our foreign policy." --Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.)

"A nuclear weapon in Iran, ISIL, Russia." --Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.)

"Putin's Russia is the greatest geopolitical threat to the United States. Their aggression in Eastern Europe against Ukraine and our NATO allies, particularly in the Baltic, and willingness to sell arms to China and Iran shows a desire to recreate Cold War conditions." --Rep. Paul Cook (R-Calif.)

"Eastern Europe." --Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.)

"Defeating ISIS. If we do not defeat them abroad, we will be facing more and more of a threat at home. This does not require an occupation or an enduring ground operation." --Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.)

"Proliferation of fanatical religious terrorists with safe harbors in broken countries, and the means to obtain and the will to use nuclear, chemical and biological weapons on our soil." --Rep. Pete Olson (R-Texas)

"Islamic terrorists are the greatest security threats to the United States, both domestically and abroad. We need to be vigilant every day. Now, every citizen has to be vigilant because they are vital links in the national security chain." --Rep. Ralph Abraham (R-La.)

"Russia's aggression, and China's ambitions to become a dominate regional player." --Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah)

"Iran is the greatest threat to stability in the Middle East. Iran remains the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism, continues its efforts to develop nuclear weapons and has directly threatened the existence of Israel and the United States." --Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.)

"Cyberattacks." --Rep. Tom Rooney (R-Fla.)

"Russia." --Rep. Joe Heck (R-Nev.)

"Vladimir Putin and Russia. "When a bear wakes up from hibernation, he doesn't eat a few blueberries and then go back to sleep.' They have their eyes on Eastern Europe, and if NATO is not willing to stand up forcefully to this threat today, it will only become more difficult to do so down the road." --Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.)

"There are a few things: national debt, anti-missile defense and cyber warfare are threats we often do not think of that will have the most devastating impact on our national defense, if neglected." --Rep. Steve Russell (R-Okla.)

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