Hillary Clinton tried to join the Marines in 1975
| Hillary Clinton tried to join the Marines in 1975 | |
|---|---|
| UNVERIFIED | |
| "Hillary Clinton tried to enlist in the US Marine Corps in 1975 but was turned away by a recruiter." | |
| Domain | Politics & Elections |
| Tactic | Fabrication |
| Era | Historical |
| First seen | 1994 |
| Origin | A story Hillary Clinton told at a 1994 luncheon for military women |
| Last reviewed | 2026-10-29 |
| Further reading: books on Politics & Elections | |
In June 1994, Hillary Clinton told a luncheon for women in the military that in 1975, while teaching law in Arkansas, she had gone to a Marine Corps recruiter to ask about joining. She said the recruiter told her she was too old, her eyesight was too poor and "maybe the dogs would take you," meaning the Army.
The story has been questioned since it was first told. No record or witness has confirmed it, and Clinton has not provided further details.
What the evidence shows
- No documentation. Recruiter visits that did not lead to enlistment generally left no records, so the story cannot be checked against files. No recruiter came forward.
- Context. In 1975 Rodham was about to marry Bill Clinton and was building a law career. Critics found the story out of character, while her spokespeople said it reflected a sincere interest in serving.
- Repeated, never expanded. The account appeared again in later coverage of her candidacy without new supporting detail.
Why it matters
A personal anecdote that cannot be checked is not the same as a proven falsehood. It belongs in the "unverified" column, where the evidence leaves it.
Sources
- The New York Times, "First Lady Recalls Effort to Join Marines," June 1994.
- The Washington Post, "Hillary Clinton and the Marines," 1994.
- Snopes, "Did Hillary Clinton Try to Join the Marines?"