In 1770, at the age of 27, the Governor of Virginia appointed Thomas Jefferson as the county lieutenant, with the rank of colonel, of the Albemarle County Militia. Colonel Jefferson was responsible for all militia affairs in the county including insuring that the Albermarle County Regiment of Militia drilled on a regular basis, that the regimental and company muster rolls were kept up, and that militia fines were collected by the sheriff.
It might be interesting to see how many former U.S. Presidents had military experience. There are the obvious like Washington, Taylor, Grant, T. Roosevelt, Kennedy, and Eisenhower. Perhaps the less well known include G.H.W. Bush and Carter. Those are off the top of my head.
no subject
http://www.ngb.army.mil/resources/photo_gallery/presidential/jefferson.html
It also says he resigned his commission in 1779 when he was elected governor of Virginia.
James Madison was apparently the commander of the Orange County, NJ militia during the Revolution, but poor health kept him from active service.
http://www.history.army.mil/books/revwar/ss/madison.htm
It might be interesting to see how many former U.S. Presidents had military experience. There are the obvious like Washington, Taylor, Grant, T. Roosevelt, Kennedy, and Eisenhower. Perhaps the less well known include G.H.W. Bush and Carter. Those are off the top of my head.