War on the rocks can sometimes read as Officers deploying big words (they are often the authors). But, good points in all. Context on this isn’t just DJT, it’

War on the rocks can sometimes read as Officers deploying big words (they are often the authors). But, good points in all. Context on this isn’t just DJT, it’s a significant rot across all of those points since Iraq/Afghanistan started but it dates back to Vietnam. First, The military internally was getting partisan in uncomfortable ways when I served. Mike Flynn or Mastriano in PA are the craziest example of this, but below the very professional wall of senior leadership, quite a lot of f-Obama and go-Trump went on in carefully angled speech. The junior officer who knew enough to be dangerous but still had a bachelors degree from Phoenix U in criminal justice were large offenders, paired with junior soldiers and their first line leadership from rural wherever. “Civilian control is exercised within the legislative branch” disappeared as a concept a few years into Iraq/Afg. Authorizations for use of military force (ie congress votes to go to war) were replaced by repeat deployments directed via shady or at least very out of date authorizations. This started in Vietnam. Congress, and by extent the people, seemed to forget there was a war going on after 2006 or so, or take half measures that resulted in danger for deployed service members (what President Obama was accused of most internally). Judicial branch - UCMJ exists for a very good reason, and there’s been more noise and criticism vs substance and nuance about why that should change, again resulting in a very confusing set of norms to navigate for the Commander. Yes, all the Miley <> DJT stuff was ugly. Miley should go down in our history as a Soldier’s Soldier who navigated that all safely. When I got concerned over the last couple years, I’d look to Miley for a rough temp check on how bad it was getting. The more he left total silence and started targeted and veiled pushback against DJT, the more concerning it was. Mutual trust - again, seems like people forgot there was a war (2 wars) on. Poor urban and poor rural and a handful of idealistic middle/upper class went on repeat deployments for years and suffered limbs and divorces. Seems like civilians checked out right around when the halftime show with a large flag ended. Law enforcement - cops cosplay soldiers, soldiers join law enforcement and think they’re still soldiers, military vehicles and TA-50 end up on cops patrolling neighborhoods. Public role - there hasn’t been a universally loud “disbarring” of Michael Flynn. DJT and “his generals.” Elections - when Jan 6 happened, high speed units that usually are in and out of Africa or Middle East had to consult the manuals on if what was happening in DC counted as a special situation. That it even got this close is very bad.