The military isn’t ‘the military’ anymore.
To the government, it’s just another government job. It’s like a larger version of the post office, just with higher operating costs.
To the American people, war is a sporting event. Hopefully we win, but if not, it was probably nothing big. The ref was blind, bad calls by the coach, maybe need to shake up the roster a bit, but hey, better luck next war!
To the generals, war is what you wage over your budget and your political fiefdom. Victory is clawing your way up from Assistant Vice Deputy Post Commander to Vice Deputy Post Commander. Defeat is being passed over for promotion.
In short, whatever you remember (or imagine) about the military is gone, and what’s left is about to shrink. Of course, it won’t be the bureaucracy that shrinks. They’ll cut troops and tanks before they lay a hand on a desk. That’s just where we are now as a nation.
To the government, it’s just another government job. It’s like a larger version of the post office, just with higher operating costs.
To the American people, war is a sporting event. Hopefully we win, but if not, it was probably nothing big. The ref was blind, bad calls by the coach, maybe need to shake up the roster a bit, but hey, better luck next war!
To the generals, war is what you wage over your budget and your political fiefdom. Victory is clawing your way up from Assistant Vice Deputy Post Commander to Vice Deputy Post Commander. Defeat is being passed over for promotion.
In short, whatever you remember (or imagine) about the military is gone, and what’s left is about to shrink. Of course, it won’t be the bureaucracy that shrinks. They’ll cut troops and tanks before they lay a hand on a desk. That’s just where we are now as a nation.
Spot on assessment, unfortunately.