Military and National Defense
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Do you, yourself, feel that our national defense is stronger now than it needs to be, not strong enough or about right at the present time? % Stronger than needs to be % Not strong enough % About right Jan 1 1984 15 36 46 Jan 1 1990 16 17 64 Jan 1 1999 7 42 48 Jan 1 2000 6 39 52 May 1 2000 6 38 55 Feb 1 2001 7 44 48 Feb 4 2002 6 43 50 Feb 3 2003 13 34 52 Feb 9 2004 10 34 54 Feb 7 2005 9 40 49 Feb 6 2006 7 43 47 Feb 1 2007 8 46 43 Feb 11 2008 10 47 41 Feb 9 2009 6 37 54 Feb 1 2010 7 45 46 Feb 2 2011 11 37 50 Feb 2 2012 13 32 54 Feb 8 2015 13 44 42 Feb 3 2016 13 45 41 Feb 1 2017 11 45 43 Feb 1 2018 13 39 46 Feb 1 2019 12 31 55 Feb 3 2020 12 25 62 Feb 3 2021 14 35 50 Feb 1 2022 12 42 44 Feb 1 2023 11 44 44 Feb 1 2024 16 44 37 Feb 3 2025 14 43 40 Feb 2 2026 17 31 50
Views of U.S. Defense Spending, Yearly Averages % Too little % Too much 1969 8 52 1971 11 50 1973 13 46 1976 22 36 1981 51 15 1982 16 41 1983 21 37 1985 11 46 1986 13 47 1987 14 44 1990 9 50 1993 17 42 1998 26 22 1999 28 32 2000 36 21 2001 41 19 2002 33 17 2003 25 27 2004 22 31 2005 30 30 2006 25 32 2007 20 43 2008 22 44 2009 24 31 2010 27 34 2011 22 39 2012 24 41 2013 26 35 2014 28 37 2015 34 32 2016 37 32 2017 37 31 2018 33 34 2019 25 29 2020 17 31 2021 26 30 2022 32 31 2023 26 35 2024 29 35
Military and National Defense > Defense Strong Enough Stronger than it needs to be Not strong enough About right No opinion % % % % 2026 Feb 2-16 17 31 50 3 2025 Feb 3-16 14 43 40 3 2024 Feb 1-20 ^ 16 44 37 2 2023 Feb 1-23 11 44 44 * 2022 Feb 1-17 12 42 44 1 2021 Feb 3-18 14 35 50 1 2020 Feb 3-16 12 25 62 1 2019 Feb 1-10 12 31 55 1 2018 Feb 1-10 13 39 46 2 2017 Feb 1-5 11 45 43 1 2016 Feb 3-7 13 45 41 2 2015 Feb 8-11 13 44 42 1 2012 Feb 2-5 13 32 54 1 2011 Feb 2-5 11 37 50 2 2010 Feb 1-3 7 45 46 1 2009 Feb 9-12 6 37 54 3 2008 Feb 11-14 10 47 41 2 2007 Feb 1-4 8 46 43 2 2006 Feb 6-9 7 43 47 3 2005 Feb 7-10 9 40 49 2 2004 Feb 9-12 10 34 54 2 2003 Feb 3-6 ^ 13 34 52 1 2002 Feb 4-6 6 43 50 1 2001 Feb 1-4 7 44 48 1 2000 May 18-21 6 38 55 1 2000 Jan 13-16 6 39 52 3 1999 May 7-9 7 42 48 3 1990 Jan 4-7 16 17 64 3 1984 15 36 46 3
Military and National Defense > Defense Spending Too little About right Too much No opinion % % % % 2024 Feb 1-20 ^ 29 33 35 3 2023 Feb 1-23 26 37 35 2 2022 Feb 1-17 32 34 31 2 2021 Feb 3-18 26 42 30 2 2020 Feb 3-16 17 50 31 2 2019 Feb 1-10 25 43 29 3 2018 Feb 1-10 ^ 33 31 34 2 2017 Feb 1-5 37 28 31 3 2016 Feb 3-7 37 27 32 5 2015 Feb 8-11 34 29 32 5 2014 Feb 6-9 28 32 37 3 2013 Feb 7-10 26 36 35 3 2012 Feb 2-5 24 32 41 3 2011 Feb 2-5 22 35 39 3 2010 Feb 1-3 27 36 34 2 2009 Feb 9-12 24 41 31 4 2008 Feb 11-14 22 30 44 3 2007 Feb 1-4 20 35 43 2 2006 Feb 6-9 25 40 32 3 2005 Feb 7-10 30 38 30 2 2004 Feb 9-12 22 45 31 2 2003 Feb 3-6 25 44 27 4 2002 Feb 4-6 33 48 17 2 2001 Feb 1-4 41 38 19 2 2000 Aug 24-27 40 34 20 6 2000 May 18-21 31 44 22 3 1999 May 7-9 28 35 32 5 1998 Nov 20-22 26 45 22 7 1993 Mar 29-31 17 38 42 3 1990 Jan 4-7 9 36 50 5 1987 Apr 10-13 14 36 44 6 1986 Mar 4-10 13 36 47 4 1985 Jan 25-28 11 36 46 7 1983 Sep 9-12 21 36 37 6 1982 Nov 5-8 16 31 41 12 1981 Jan 27 51 22 15 12 1976 Jan 23-26 22 32 36 10 1973 Sep 21-24 13 30 46 11 1971 Mar 11-14 11 31 50 8 1969 Nov 12-17 8 31 52 9
Military and National Defense > Confidence Institutions Military Table Great deal Quite a lot Some Very little None (vol.) No opinion % % % % % % 2026 Jun 1-15 35 26 22 15 1 1 2025 Jun 2-26 34 28 23 13 * 1 2024 Jun 3-23 34 27 27 11 1 1 2023 Jun 1-22 32 28 30 10 * * 2022 Jun 1-20 32 32 26 8 * 1 2021 Jun 1-Jul 5 37 32 22 9 * 1 2020 Jun 8-Jul 24 40 32 20 8 1 * 2019 Jun 3-16 45 28 18 8 * * 2018 Jun 1-13 43 31 20 5 * 1 2017 Jun 7-11 44 28 21 7 * * 2016 Jun 1-5 41 32 19 7 * 1 2015 Jun 2-7 42 30 19 6 1 1 2014 Jun 5-8 39 35 20 6 1 * 2013 Jun 1-4 43 33 17 6 * 1 2012 Jun 7-10 43 32 18 5 1 1 2011 Jun 9-12 47 31 16 3 * 1 2010 Jul 8-11 44 32 18 4 1 1 2009 Jun 14-17 45 37 12 5 * 1 2008 Jun 9-12 45 26 20 7 1 1 2007 Jun 11-14 39 30 21 8 1 * 2006 Jun 1-4 41 32 19 5 1 1 2005 May 23-26 42 32 18 7 1 * 2004 May 21-23 36 39 19 5 * 1 2003 Jun 9-10 48 34 14 4 * * 2002 Jun 21-23 43 36 16 5 * * 2001 Jun 8-10 32 34 24 6 2 2 2000 Jun 22-25 25 39 26 7 1 2 1999 Jun 25-27 34 34 26 6 * * 1998 Jun 5-7 33 31 25 8 1 2 1997 Jul 25-27 30 30 27 10 2 1 1996 May 28-29 30 36 25 7 * 2 1995 Apr 21-24 33 31 27 7 1 1 1994 Mar 25-29 30 34 26 8 * 2 1993 Mar 22-24 32 35 23 8 1 1 1991 Oct 10-13 35 34 20 8 1 3 1991 Feb 28-Mar 3 52 33 11 3 * 1 1990 Aug 16-19 37 31 22 7 1 2 1989 Sep 7-10 31 32 26 9 * 3 1988 Sep 23-26 23 35 30 9 1 2 1987 Jul 10-13 24 37 28 9 1 2 1986 Jul 11-14 29 34 24 10 1 2 1985 May 17-20 24 37 28 8 1 2 1984 Oct 6-10 28 30 24 15 -- 2 1983 Aug 5-8 23 30 29 12 1 5 1981 Nov 20-23 22 28 29 14 6 2 1979 Apr 6-9 25 29 29 14 1 3 1977 Jan 7-10 23 34 25 11 1 6 1975 May 30-Jun 2 27 31 25 11 1 5
Defense U.S. Number One Military Table U.S. is no. 1 U.S. is one of several leaders Neither (vol.) No opinion % % % % 2026 Feb 2-16 59 39 * 2 2025 Feb 3-16 56 43 * 1 2022 Feb 1-17 51 47 * 2 2020 Feb 3-16 58 41 * 1 2018 Feb 1-10 52 47 * 1 2017 Feb 1-5 57 42 * 1 2016 Feb 3-7 49 49 1 2 2015 Feb 8-11 59 38 * 3 2014 Feb 6-9 53 44 1 2 2013 Feb 7-10 50 47 * 3 2012 Feb 2-5 54 45 * 1 2010 Jan 8-10 64 34 * 1 2007 Feb 1-4 60 39 * 1 2000 May 18-21 56 41 * 3 1999 May 7-9 51 46 1 2 1993 Mar 29-31 63 34 1 2
Important U.S. Number One Military Important Not that important No opinion % % % 2026 Feb 2-16 64 34 1 2025 Feb 3-16 66 32 2 2022 Feb 1-17 68 32 1 2020 Feb 3-16 63 36 1 2017 Feb 1-5 68 31 1 2016 Feb 3-7 67 32 1 2015 Feb 8-11 68 31 1 2013 Feb 7-10 62 37 1 2007 Feb 1-4 61 38 1 2000 May 18-21 70 29 1 1999 May 7-9 59 39 2 1993 Mar 29-31 61 37 2
Military and National Defense > Satisfaction Military Strength January Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Somewhat dissatisfied Very dissatisfied No opinion % % % % % 2026 42 30 12 11 5 2025 31 32 14 16 8 2024 30 32 19 13 6 2023 34 30 17 12 6 2022 26 35 15 16 8 2021 38 36 9 7 9 2020 49 32 8 5 6 2019 38 40 11 5 6 2018 35 43 12 6 5 2017 33 33 17 13 4 2016 25 34 17 18 6 2015 32 37 15 11 5 2014 33 39 12 10 6 2013 34 40 12 9 4 2012 35 36 14 9 6 2008 30 36 19 11 4 2007 27 35 21 11 6 2006 32 35 16 12 5 2005 28 38 20 11 3 2004 44 37 12 5 2 2003 42 41 10 4 3 2002 43 36 13 6 2 2001 24 37 19 13 7
Military and National Defense > Allow Women Hold Combat Jobs Yes, should allow No, should not No opinion % % % 2025 Jan 21-27 ^ 78 19 3 2007 Sep 7-8 74 23 3
Military and National Defense > Allow Transgender Troops Hold Combat Jobs Table Favor Oppose No opinion % % % 2025 Jan 21-27 ^ 58 35 7 2021 May 3-18 66 33 1 2019 May 15-30 71 26 2
Military and National Defense > Party Best Serves Interests Table Republican Party Democratic Party No difference (vol.) No opinion % % % % <b>Military veterans 2024 Aug 1-20 52 39 4 4
Military and National Defense > US Attack Other Countries Table Should not attack unless attacked first Should be able to attack No opinion % % % 2020 Feb 3-16 65 33 3 2006 Jul 6-9 57 35 8 2004 Oct 9-10 52 41 7 2004 Sep 24-26 52 41 7 2004 Feb 9-12 53 43 4 2003 Dec 5-7 54 41 5 2002 Oct 3-6 51 40 9
Military and National Defense > Spend More Less Table More About the same Less No opinion % % % % 2018 Feb 1-10 ^ 45 31 22 2
Military and National Defense > Most Prestigious Military Branch Table Air Force Army Navy Marines Coast Guard Same (vol.) No opinion % % % % % % % 2014 May 8-11 17 15 12 47 2 5 2 2011 Jun 9-12 ^ 15 22 8 46 2 5 2 2004 May 21-23 ^ 20 15 8 44 5 5 3 2002 Apr 22-24 ^ 28 13 13 39 1 4 2 2001 May 18-20 ^ # 32 11 14 36 -- 4 3
Military and National Defense > Most Important Military Branch Table Air Force Army Navy Marines Coast Guard Same (vol.) No opinion % % % % % % % 2014 May 8-11 23 26 17 19 3 9 2 2011 Jun 9-12 ^ 17 25 11 24 3 16 3 2004 May 21-23 ^ 23 25 9 23 4 12 4 2002 Apr 22-24 ^ 36 18 17 16 1 10 2 2001 May 18-20 # ^ 42 18 15 14 -- 9 2
Military and National Defense > U.S. Number 1 Military 20 Years Table U.S. will be No. 1 U.S. will be one of several leaders U.S. not one of several leaders No opinion % % % % 2010 Jan 8-10 36 56 6 1
Military and National Defense > U.S. Actively Fighting in 20 Years Table Active fighting on regular basis Long periods with no active fighting No opinion % % % 2010 Jan 8-10 67 30 2
Military and National Defense > U.S. Return to Military Draft Table Yes, should No, should not No opinion % % % 2007 Aug 13-16 18 80 2 2004 Oct 11-14 14 85 1 2003 Oct 24-26 17 80 3 2003 Jan 3-5 ^ 27 69 4 1998 Jun 5-7 16 81 3 1981 Jul 31-Aug 3 48 45 7 1980 Jul 11-14 58 34 7 1980 Feb 1-4 59 36 5
Military and National Defense > Policy Gays Military Table Serve openly Serve under current policy Not serve No opinion % % % % 2007 Jul 6-8 46 36 15 3 2000 Jan 13-16 41 38 17 4
Military and National Defense > War Outdated Settle Differences Table Outdated Sometimes necsesary No opinion % % % 2007 Feb 1-4 37 61 3 2004 Feb 9-12 24 73 3 1999 May 7-9 26 71 3 1995 Apr 21-24 ^ 38 56 6 1991 Feb 7-10 ^ 17 80 3 1991 Jan 30-Feb 2 ^ 21 76 4 1991 Jan 23-26 ^ 37 55 8 1990 Mar 15-18 ^ 49 48 3 1981 May 8-11 ^ 50 43 7 1975 Apr 18-21 ^ 45 46 9 1971 Jun 25-28 ^ 46 44 10
Military and National Defense > Favor Oppose Women Combat Table Favor Oppose No opinion % % % 2005 Jun 24-26 67 32 1 1992 Nov 10-11 ^ 55 42 3
Military and National Defense > Support Son Daughter Military Table Support that step Suggest different occupation No opinion % % % 2005 Jun 16-19 51 48 1
Military and National Defense > Require Military Service All Young Men Table Favor Oppose No opinion % % % 2005 Jun 16-19 35 62 3 1955 Dec 8-13 69 23 8 1955 May 12-17 76 18 6 1955 Feb 10-15 71 20 9 1955 Jan 20-25 73 22 5 1954 Dec 2-7 75 22 3 1954 Aug 26-31 72 22 6 1952 Feb 28-Mar 5 60 33 7 1951 Dec 9-14 56 28 16
Military and National Defense > Combat Assignments Women Table Same as men Only if want to Never get No opinion % % % % 2003 Dec 5-7 38 45 16 1 1991 Jul 25-26 26 53 18 3 1991 Feb 14-15 36 45 16 3
Military and National Defense > Allow Openly Gay Serve Military Table Yes, should No, should not No opinion % % % 2003 Dec 5-7 79 18 3
Military and National Defense > Women Combat Jobs Table Favor Oppose No opinion % % % Flying combat aircraft 2001 Dec 14-16 ^ 77 21 2 Serving on submarines 2001 Dec 14-16 ^ 73 24 3 Serving as ground combat troops 2001 Dec 14-16 ^ 52 46 2 Serving as special forces thatconduct operations behind enemy lines 2001 Dec 14-16 ^ 63 35 2
Military and National Defense > Require Women Draft Table Yes, required No, not required No opinion % % % 2001 Dec 14-16 46 50 4 1998 Jun 5-7 54 44 2 1991 Jul 25-26 50 47 3 1980 Jul 11-14 49 47 4 1980 Feb 1-4 51 45 4 1980 Jan 31-Feb 1 50 47 3 1979 Mar 2-5 43 50 7
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Americans remain stuck in a confidence rut, with average trust in national institutions below 30% for the fifth straight year.
Americans' approval of recent U.S. military action in Iran was lower than support for other U.S. military actions since the 1980s.
Most Americans plan to mark the nation's 250th anniversary through gatherings, community activities and reflection, highlighting broad pride in the past and optimism ahead.
More than four years after Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukrainians' approval of U.S. leadership continues to decline, while views on the war remain stable.
Gallup https://news.gallup.com/poll/1666/military-national-defense.aspxsaid Gallup World Headquarters, 901 F Street, Washington, D.C., 20001, U.S.A
