The number of national elected officials who have served has plummeted to its lowest point since World War II. Only 20% of the 535 members of the new Congress have served in the military, 25 from the Senate and 90 from the House of Representatives, reports Jennifer Rizzo at CNN. In 1975, more than 70% of those elected had served in the armed forces.
Not surprisingly, given these numbers, veterans advocates and others are concerned about a disconnect between the military and civilians
Seth Lynn, executive director of Veterans Campaign, a group that trains veterans to run for public office, tells CNN:
But Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, doesn't concur, telling CNN:
