It's a long piece, and I think this summarizes it well: "The vast majority of Americans outside the military can be triply cynical in their attitude toward it.

It's a long piece, and I think this summarizes it well: "The vast majority of Americans outside the military can be triply cynical in their attitude toward it. Triply? One: “honoring” the troops but not thinking about them. Two: “caring” about defense spending but really viewing it as a bipartisan stimulus program. Three: supporting a “strong” defense but assuming that the United States is so much stronger than any rival that it’s pointless to worry whether strategy, weaponry, and leadership are right."