....and it really helped him.
In fact, in most cases, military experience is only embraced by the media. It's not such a big deal with average voters.
Election 1992: Clinton, draft dodger. Bush, served in WW2. Clinton wins.
Election 1996: Clinton, still a draft dodger.
Dole, war hero. Clinton wins.
Election 2000: Bush, who guarded Austin from the Vietcong, wins (or if you prefer, "ties" Gore in a heavily divided election)
Gore, who actually WENT to Vietnam, is unable to win.