In the eras of World War II and Vietnam, military service was a common resume line for candidates. In 1973, about 75% of Congress had served. But as the military evolved into an all-volunteer force, that number dwindled to one-third.

Syracuse University's Veterans Program for Politics and Civic Engagement (VPPCE) was created by the Maxwell School and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), to help veterans get elected to office at all levels. The program helps veterans assess their viability for election, develop knowledge and skills to mount a campaign, and expand their network of support. 

“Folks that are in the U.S. military are some of the most highly trained, capable people in the world,” explains Steven Lux, director of Executive Education. “The amount of money that we invest—appropriately, I would argue—in our military, you just don’t want it to go to waste in a way,” Lux says. “So if they have the passion and inclination, then let's just give them a little bit more training so they can participate in public life.”

Read more in the WSHU article, “Some congressional candidates are campaigning on a rare credential: military experience.”