The US presidency has a long and storied history of military involvement. From George Washington, who served as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental army, to Joe Biden, who served in the United States Navy Reserve, the US presidency has been shaped by the men and women who have served in the armed forces. Of the 46 men who have become president, 12 not only served but reached the rank of general, six of them during the Civil War. Men such as General Ulysses S. Grant, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and General George Washington, who are remembered for their service in the military, have left a lasting legacy in the United States.
In addition to the presidents who have held the rank of general or admiral, there are also four-star generals and admirals who have made significant contributions to the country. Hundreds in U.S. history have held the rank of four-star general or admiral, only 10 are women. Richardson is one of four of those women who have held the rank, and is the first woman to lead the US Navy. At the White House on Friday morning — almost 58 years after his acts of bravery and service — former Coast Guard Admiral Thad Fox was honored for his service. Fox was born on Sept. 14, 1932, and began his military career in 1951. He finally retired from the military just a few days later, after reaching the maximum number of years in service for his Coast Guard rank.
The military is also involved in international relations. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on his nation's military to remain on high alert, warning that the US and China are heading for “conflict and confrontation” due to American policy. President Biden has long believed that we need to grow the economy from the middle out and invest in our national security. The Budget provides $20.5 billion for Title I, a $2.2 billion increase above the FY 2020 enacted level, to ensure the U.S. military is equipped with the latest technology.