New Gallup-With Honor Institute Poll: Military Experience Tops Candidate Credentials

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new Gallup survey, conducted in partnership with the With Honor Institute, finds that Americans place greater value on military service than any other credential when evaluating candidates for public office. The research highlights the trust and confidence Americans continue to place in veterans, both as potential elected officials and as community leaders.

The nationwide survey of more than 2,000 adults shows that:

• 55% of Americans say military service makes them more likely to vote for a candidate — compared with 7% who say it makes them less likely.
• Veterans are seen as possessing strong leadership skills, with 83% of Americans agreeing this quality applies to those with military backgrounds.
• Large majorities believe veterans put the country’s interests ahead of their own (78%), work effectively across differences (77%), and understand global security challenges (76%).

“At a time when Americans are searching for leaders they can trust, this research underscores a powerful truth: veterans continue to embody service above self,” said Rye Barcott, Founder and President of the With Honor Institute. “Our collaboration with Gallup affirms that military experience is more than a credential; it’s a proven foundation of integrity, competence, and commitment to the common good.”

Veterans Trusted in Leadership Roles

Beyond elections, the survey also finds Americans trust veterans more than non-veterans in a range of civic and leadership roles:

• 83% of Americans believe veterans possess strong leadership skills.
• 75% believe veterans understand global security issues.
• 70% trust veterans to help leaders make foreign policy decisions.

“These findings show that Americans don’t just value military experience at the ballot box. They see veterans as honorable contributors across many essential roles in society,” said Colonel Michael Tilton, U.S. Army (Ret.), project director at Gallup. “Military service continues to signal leadership, working well with diverse groups of people, and a commitment to the public good.”

Read the full results of the Gallup-With Honor Institute poll here and watch the presentation at the Forum by Colonel Michael Tilton, U.S. Army (Ret.), project director at Gallup.

About the Study

This Gallup-With Honor Institute survey was conducted August 1-15, 2025, among a random sample of 2,132 U.S. adults from the Gallup Panel. Results carry a margin of sampling error of ±3 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

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About the With Honor Institute

The With Honor Institute (WHI) is the educational arm of With Honor, a cross-partisan organization that fights polarization in Congress by supporting principled veterans of both parties who take the With Honor Pledge to serve with integrity, civility, and courage. The Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan nonprofit, educates and supports bipartisan veterans and servant leaders in public service.

About Gallup

Gallup delivers analytics and advice to help leaders and organizations solve their most pressing problems. Combining more than 80 years of experience with its global reach, Gallup knows more about the attitudes and behaviors of employees, customers, students and citizens than any other organization in the world.

For complete results, including trend data and visualizations, visit Gallup.com.