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Examining Public Trust in Military Veterans

On September 3, 2025, Gallup and the With Honor Institute (WHI) unveiled a significant research endeavor aimed at gaining insights into how Americans perceive military veterans. This innovative collaboration marks the first of its kind between Gallup, a renowned analytics and advice-based organization, and WHI, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering principled leadership among veterans in public life. The new study will encompass a thorough survey designed to evaluate societal views regarding veterans and assess whether their military service translates into a higher level of public trust.

Purpose of the Study

Amid rising concerns about institutional trust and increasing political divisions, this research addresses a pressing question: Do Americans believe veterans have unique qualities that enable them to lead and unify the nation? The study will gauge public confidence in military veterans, analyzing traits such as leadership capabilities, commitment to democratic values, and the distinct experience that can inform decisions in elected offices.

Rye Barcott, the founder and president of WHI, highlights the ongoing decline in trust across major institutions, stressing that veterans maintain a notably higher level of confidence among the public. He remarked, "Our collaboration with Gallup enables us to track that trust over time across various sectors—from government and business to global leadership. This partnership is not merely about data collection; it aims to foster a national dialogue surrounding principled veteran leadership rooted in service, integrity, and measurable outcomes."

Insights into the Veterans' Role

The upcoming survey forms the first segment of a larger sequence of studies focusing on various parameters, such as the public's trust, confidence, and ethical considerations regarding veterans. Notably, beginning this year, Gallup plans to incorporate questions about military veterans into its annual surveys focused on the ethics of professions and confidence in institutions. By presenting nonpartisan, empirical data, both organizations aim to inform discussions around leadership development, policy-making, and the overarching influence of military experience on American society.

Colonel Michael Tilton, a retired U.S. Army officer and project director at Gallup said, "This research presents an invaluable opportunity to understand how veterans are perceived as leaders across civic and community platforms. Our aim with the With Honor Institute partnership is to provide objective data that fuels constructive dialogues about veterans' roles in elected office and beyond."

Monitoring Progress and Future Releases

Initial findings from this collaborative effort are anticipated to be disclosed in the fall of 2025. Insights provided through this study will likely nurture constructive conversations and foster improved understanding among the public regarding the meaningful impact veterans can have not only in government but also in broader societal contexts.

About the Partners

With Honor Institute is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization focused on combating polarization and reinforcing democratic ideals. By supporting principled veterans, their mission is to advocate for collaboration across different social spectrums to nurture a more effective and less divided Congress.

Gallup has a rich history exceeding 80 years as an analytics and advisory firm, known for its expertise in assessing the attitudes and behaviors of various groups, surpassing other organizations in terms of insight into employees, customers, and citizens globally.