London, Jan 3 : Six out of 10 US servicemen are uncertain or pessimistic about President-elect Barack Obama becoming their Commander-in-Chief.

The findings of a survey for the Military Times indicate that Obama, who never served in the military, has some work to do to win the esteem of servicemen and women, who regularly give President George W. Bush a rousing welcome.

When asked who has their best interests at heart, a higher percentage of respondents picked Bush than Obama, though the outgoing president has lost ground over time, The Telegraph reports.

About half of the respondents said that Bush had their best interests at heart this year, the same percentage as last year, but a decline from 69 per cent in 2004.

Only a third said they were optimistic about their new leader. Some expressed concern about Obama's lack of military service and experience.

"Being that the Marine Corps can be sent anywhere in the world with the snap of his fingers, nobody has confidence in this guy as Commander-in-Chief," The Teloegraph quoted a lance corporal, as saying.

Lt Rachel Kleinpeter, a US Air Force intelligence officer with the 100th Operations Support Squadron at RAF Mildenhall, in England, asked the new president: "How are you going to safely pull combat troops out of Iraq?

"And if you're pulling out combat troops, who are you leaving to help support what's left? What happens if Iraq falls back into chaos? Are we going to be there in five years doing the same thing over again?"

Results of the survey were published as Obama announced that he would be holding a "Commander-in Chief's ball" in Washington as part of the inauguration festivities this month. (ANI)