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.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
