We can put to bed the notion the military will keep Trump in office after he loses.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213578816

The Officer's Corps thinks he's a clown. Those that demur from that assessment are a minority.

[Neerav B. Trivedi]

1. This is correct

As of 12 noon on January 20, 2021, should Trump lose the election, that would mean that Trump is no longer the CoC, and the military has NO obligation any longer, to follow Trump's order. You are correct.

[grumpyduck]

2. History repeating itself.

Contrary to mistaken generalizations, the old-line professional military in WWII Germany pretty much thought Hitler was an idiot.

[sarisataka]

10. Most of them did come to realize

How poor a military leader Hitler was, eventually.

Hitler understood, however, how strongly the German officers felt about their oaths. That is why he instituted the Hitler oath long before the war. It tied the military to him personally and therefore when orders conflicted with morality, orders would take precedence.
(This is a greatly oversimplified generalization and there were notable exceptions throughout the war. Also the post war accounting showed following oaths and orders does not excuse responsibility for one's actions)

[onecaliberal]

3. I agree. He's becoming more and more despised as the enlisted see leadership speaking out.

[jayfish]

4. Not Yet But I Do Feel A Little Better About It.

They did go along with his BS at first

[Baked Potato]

5. Oh, the Officers know he's a traitorous clown.

But, they work with what America gives them.

[uponit7771]

6. No, Milley knew what was happening or SHOULD HAVE KNOWN what was happening.

[sarisataka]

8. So should Milley resign?

Let Trump appoint a more compliant officer in his place?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

11. I personally don't know any retired generals.

I know a few retired colonels and majors. They pretty much think he's a clown.

[sarisataka]

13. I know one retired General

Though we are not drinking buddies

Other officers I know, active and retired, usually quote the adage "Respect is given to the Office, not the man"

This explains why the military doesn't comment much about what Presidents do. Beyond the desire to remain apolitical, they do not want to be seen by the public or rank and file troops as attacking the Office of President. No matter how bad the current occupant may be, someone else will eventually sit in that spot.

This is why the statements we have seen are so impressive and highly out of character.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

15. When I was in grad school one of my fellow grad students was a retired officer.

I told him I had this impression most officers are right wing. He laughed. He wasn't Bernie Sanders liberal but he was a middle of the road guy, much closer to a Biden or Obama than a Trump.

[kentuck]

7. I doubt that he has given up on the idea.

He figures that he only needs 3 or 4 Generals to support him and he can divide the military just like he has divided every other institution in this country.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

9. Those generals would be vastly outnumbered.

According to a Military Times survey conducted last fall, 50 percent of active-service military hold an unfavorable view of the president, compared to only 37 percent when he was elected. Officers especially disfavor him, with only a third indicating approval.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/opinion/trump-military.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage

[kentuck]

14. Doesn't matter if they are out-numbered.

All he needs is a small lever to create division.

He would say, "many, many people agree with my generals. Some of the Generals have fallen in with the Democrats and the fake media".

That would be enough to satisfy his followers and that would create the divide he would need to have the support of his followers.

The military needs to be unanimous in their support of the Constitution.

[lpbk2713]

12. He pardoned a SEAL murderer against all recommendations.

He ordered our troops to walk away from a base in Syria and let the Russians have it.
And he shamed and fired the skipper of the FDR for doing the right thing.

Only a few good reasons the military are justified in despising Trump.

[JudyM]

16. I'm looking forward to when we stop having to pay Secret Service because he'll be in jail.