Despite Republicans recently expressing interest in bringing back conscription, their President Donald Trump has managed to avoid four War drafts because of a ‘painful’ medical condition.
In August, the Trump administration claimed a Nobel Peace Prize was ‘well past time’ for the ‘peacemaker-in-chief’ due to all the ‘wars’ he has allegedly helped to end.
As well as claiming to halt ‘six or seven’ conflicts, the politician has signed an executive order (E.O.) announcing the Pentagon would be rebranding from the Department of Defense to the Department of War.
The decision came months after the 79-year-old admitted that he wanted to totally reshape the US military.
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While it may seem like the United States is gearing up for World War III, the father-of-five has yet to give the green light for the return of conscription—a compulsory enlistment of citizens into the nation’s armed services.
Instead, anyone who is over the age of 17 can join the armed services on their own free will. To become an active member of the Air Force, you have until the age of 35 to enlist, while the Marine Corps cut-off is 28.
US citizens have been told to join the armed forces on six occasions, including the American Revolutionary War, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
But despite being old enough to enlist in five different Wars, Trump has never fought. Here’s why.
Trump avoided conscription four times for college, once for illness
Trump was 22 years old when the United States ventured into the worst year of the Vietnam War conflict. The 1968 fighting was particularly bloody, seeing a staggering 16,899 Americans being killed in Southeast Asia.
Despite being well above drafting age and no longer having his education as an excuse to stay behind, the businessman was not one of the US citizens helping troops fight.
Instead, he had been signed off on medical grounds and continued to celebrate his graduation from the University of Pennsylvania.
Still to this day, the decision for an athletically built young man whose stature was 6’2” not to fight and instead stay in the country is extremely puzzling.
So, what did doctors diagnose Trump with that stopped him from being conscripted?
According to reports, the President was told by medics in 1968 that he was suffering from an extremely painful condition called bone spurs.
What are bone spurs?
Bone spurs are bony growths that form along bone edges, as per the Mayo Clinic. The agency stated that the joint damage is linked with the most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis.
Usually, bone spurs don’t need treatment, and if they do, it all depends on where they are located and how much they affect your overall health.
Symptoms may not arise, and medical practitioners may only notice them if you undergo an X-ray for another condition. However, bone spurs in the knee can make it painful to extend and bend, while those that have formed on the spine can cause weakness or numbness in the arms and/or legs.
Trump suffered from heel spurs
According to the New York Times, Trump suffered specifically from 'heel spurs' - a bony growth that pokes out below the back heel inside your foot.
Cleveland Clinic stated that heel spurs form due to stress on the ligaments in your foot and that they cannot be cured. Instead, healthcare providers are likely to recommend non-surgical treatments like using ice packs, wearing footwear that supports your arches, and taking oral anti-inflammatory medicine.
Dr. Elysa Braunstein - the daughter of late foot doctor Dr. Larry Braunstein - told the New York Times that her father had once rented a room from the 47th POTUS’ dad, Fred Trump. "I know it was a favour," she alleged, adding of Trump's heel: "But did he examine him? I don’t know."
Trump has denied having surgery on his foot in recent years, telling the Times that it ‘healed up’ over a period of time on its own.
Draft deferement was common
Trump’s medical deferment meant that he did not fight in the Vietnam War, but his deferment is hardly unique.
As many as 15 million affluent men from wealthy backgrounds were given exemptions to avoid military duty around the same time, according to a 2019 article by The Atlantic.
These reportedly included Dick Cheney, and former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
According to the outlet, up to 60 percent of men eligible to fight in the war took active measures to qualify for a draft deferment.
Topics: Health, Donald Trump, US News, Politics
Ella Scott