The annual Harris Poll measuring public perceptions of 23 professions and occupations indicates that 52 percent of Americans think military officers have “very great” prestige. Harris Interactive interviewed a sample of 1,010 adults via telephone in July, and the poll found that firefighters, scientists, teachers, doctors, and nurses are the other five professions at least half of all Americans feel are the most prestigious. Firefighters rank first, with 61 percent of the public saying they have “very great” prestige.
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.