Do leaders need to have a military background in order to execute successful policies involving the armed forces?

Successful public policies often hinge upon the ability of talented leaders to develop, promote, and execute those public policies.  In a two- to three page paper (not including the title and reference pages), discuss which leadership traits you feel are the most important in the creation of sound public policies.  Some questions to consider are: does a leader’s educational background matter significantly in providing leadership in the policy making process?  Do leaders need to have a military background in order to execute successful policies involving the armed forces?  Is it necessary for strong leaders in the policy making arena to have traveled widely and to have had significant foreign policy experience?

In addition, you may wish to illustrate your points by identifying specific past or current leaders (e.g., Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan) in public policy who exemplify the traits you feel are the most important in public policy leadership.  Be sure to justify your selections by connecting the leaders you select to the leadership traits you deemed most important