My father was a career military officer, so pardon me if I don’t genuflect at self-important, self-serving mentions of our “brave men and women in uniform,” too often invoked by those who never served, or never knew anyone who did, or who fought like hell and worked every angle not to, and would riot in the streets if the US instituted a sensible draft that offered their rich, pampered little boys and girls the same opportunities to die and lose limbs with which we honor our all-volunteer force.
Being familiar with the military, I also feel no need to lionize everyone who’s been in it. There are fools in uniform. The conduct of several of our recent wars proves that. There are also heroes, knaves, psychos, savants, mensches, thieves, rapists and every other type of man and woman you can name. Their motives for service can range from patriotism to political opportunism to desperation. Donning a uniform does not make them better people. It just makes them soldiers.
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