New Gallup Honesty and Ethics Poll: Veterans Rank Second Only to Nurses as Most Trusted Profession

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Military veterans rank second only to nurses in Americans’ ratings of honesty and ethics, according to a newly released Gallup Honesty and Ethics poll conducted Dec. 1–15, 2025.

Gallup’s annual survey measures public perceptions of honesty and ethical standards across a range of professions. Military veterans were included as a rated group for the first time in this year’s poll. The results place veterans second-highest among the professions measured, behind only nurses.

“Gallup’s findings underscore something many Americans already feel: veterans are widely trusted to lead with integrity,” said Rye Barcott, Founder and President of the With Honor Institute. “That confidence is an opportunity to strengthen civic life—locally and nationally—at a moment when trust in institutions is under real strain.”

Gallup has tracked Americans’ views on honesty and ethics since 1976, updating the list of professions each year. The 2025 poll evaluated 21 occupations in total. 

A widening trust gap in public institutions

The findings also highlight a significant trust gap across American institutions. In the 2025 survey, members of Congress and telemarketers were the only professions rated as having “low” or “very low” honesty and ethical standards by a majority of respondents. 

With Honor Institute (WHI) was created to strengthen the foundation of our democracy and inspire a new era of trust in our nation’s leaders. WHI’s commitment is rooted in integrity, civility, and courage, building a future together in trust and leadership across party lines. 

Veterans as trusted leaders

These results closely mirror findings from a With Honor Institute-Gallup study conducted late last year, which found that a majority of adults (55%) are more likely to support a political candidate with prior military backgrounds — a more decisive influence than both business and government experience.

Taken together, these surveys paint a multidimensional picture of public confidence in veterans, viewed not only as individuals who uphold strong ethical standards but also as a trusted institution within American civic life. As Americans search for leaders they can trust, the data point to a consistent conclusion — veterans remain among the most credible and trusted voices in public life, even amid widespread institutional skepticism.

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About With Honor Institute

With Honor Institute (WHI) is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan nonprofit whose mission is to fight polarization and strengthen the foundation of our democracy. WHI works to educate, inform, and support principled veterans and servant leaders who value integrity, civility, and courage—the Institute endeavors to bridge divides and foster collaboration to create a more effective and less polarized Congress.

Media Contact:
Press@withhonorinstitute.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new Gallup survey conducted in partnership with With Honor Institute finds that Americans place greater value on military service than any other credential when evaluating candidates for public office. The research highlights the trust and confidence Americans continue to put in veterans, both as potential elected officials and as community leaders.

The nationwide survey of more than 2,000 adults shows that:

• 55% of Americans say military service makes them more likely to vote for a candidate – compared with 7% who say it makes them less likely.
• Veterans are seen as possessing strong leadership skills, with 83% of Americans agreeing this quality applies to those with military backgrounds.
• Large majorities believe veterans put the country’s interests ahead of their own (78%), work effectively across differences (77%), and understand global security challenges (76%).

“At a time when Americans are searching for leaders they can trust, this research underscores a powerful truth: veterans continue to embody service above self,” said Rye Barcott, Founder and President of With Honor Institute. “Our collaboration with Gallup affirms that military experience is more than a credential; it’s a proven foundation of integrity, competence, and commitment to the common good.”

Veterans Trusted in Leadership Roles

Beyond elections, the survey also finds Americans trust veterans more than non-veterans in a range of civic and leadership roles:

• 83% trust veterans to assist with natural disaster response.
• 70% trust veterans to help shape foreign policy.
• 68% trust veterans to serve in community leadership roles.

“These findings show that Americans don’t just value military experience at the ballot box. They see veterans as honorable contributors across many essential roles in society,” said Colonel Michael Tilton, U.S. Army (Ret.), project director at Gallup. “Military service continues to signal leadership, working well with diverse groups of people, and a commitment to the public good.”

About the Study

This Gallup-With Honor Institute survey was conducted August 1–15, 2025, among a random sample of 2,132 U.S. adults from the Gallup Panel. Results carry a margin of sampling error of ±3 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

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About With Honor Institute

The With Honor Institute (WHI) is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan nonprofit whose mission is to fight polarization and strengthen the foundation of our democracy. WHI works to educate, inform, and support principled veterans and servant leaders who value integrity, civility, and courage—the Institute endeavors to bridge divides and foster collaboration to create a more effective and less polarized Congress.

About Gallup

Gallup delivers analytics and advice to help leaders and organizations solve their most pressing problems. Combining more than 80 years of experience with its global reach, Gallup knows more about the attitudes and behaviors of employees, customers, students and citizens than any other organization in the world.

For complete results, including trend data and visualizations, visit Gallup.com.

Media Contact:
Press@withhonorinstitute.org