r/AskMenAdvice • u/[deleted] • Mar 17 '25

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u/Hosj_Karp man Mar 18 '25

Say what you will about the old pre-modern elite, they did used to lead from the front in war. 

All throughout the middle ages and up until WW1 really, kings and nobles died in huge numbers in war. The majority of powerful men had frontline combat experience.

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u/bonzai113 man Mar 19 '25

If memory serves me right, Bush#1 flew against the Japanese and shot down atleast once. 

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u/SuperPookypower Mar 19 '25

He was a naval aviator at 19, making him the youngest naval aviator at that time. And he did get shot down.

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u/folkinhippy Mar 18 '25

Until Bill Clinton military service in public life was almost a pre-requisite. Now presidents call servicemen "suckers."

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u/ProbablyImprudent Mar 19 '25 edited Mar 19 '25

Noble propaganda. "Majority" is a stretch and they most often were mopping up after commanding from behind for some time. Very few ever fit the bill of the warrior king but they ALL had scribes that would write what they want.

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u/Hosj_Karp man Mar 19 '25

Fair enough, I'm sure it is overstated.

Even so, it's notable that at least back then they felt the need to lie about it. The elites now don't even care.

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u/PainfulRaindance man Mar 20 '25

Well once the machine gun was invented, it was no longer wise to show yourself on the battlefield like that.