I used to think this, too, and it certainly is the ideal, but I think it's unrealistic in today's world. A couple of generations ago, nearly every able-bodied man did a stint in the service, but no more.
I just think the man or woman who wants to be commander-in-chief must respect, revere, and honor those who serve with genuine and profound sincerity. I think Sen. Obama showed us what he thinks of the US military when he blew off visiting our wounded soldiers in Germany because he wasn't going to be permitted to make a campaign video out of it, and went "sightseeing" instead. I believe that he, like President Clinton before him and like most of the far left today has nothing but sneering contempt for those who volunteer to serve their country in the military. They think military people are either baby-killing psychopaths or illiterate hicks. And they think this, of course, because they don't know any people in the military.