What I Learned from Enlisting in the USAF in 1965

[MineralMan]

Like a lot of young guys in the mid 1960s, I was not sure what direction I wanted to take with my life. It was a real dilemma for me. I tried, but could not reach a decision that I trusted to be the right one. So I punted.

I dropped out of college in my sophomore year. I was an electronics engineering major. However, I was no longer sure I wanted to become an engineer. There was a lot of parental pressure on me to stick with what I started. I found that I could not, so I dropped out, drove around the country for a couple of months, and ended up enlisting in the USAF on the day I was supposed to show up for my draft physical.

I didn't really want to be in the military, but I figured that they'd find something for me to do to kill some time. Maybe that would help me with my decisions. So it did, eventually.

The USAF sent me off to learn something I had no idea would interest me. I learned it. I worked with what I learned for the next 3 years or so while observing military life and the people who made that their career. It was not for me. Nope. My term of enlistment ran out and I left the USAF, going back to college as an English major. I ended up writing stuff people could read to learn other stuff. I liked that as a career.

The military is full of interesting people, particularly in leadership. They're not like most of us. Military leaders and career military personnel like rules, orderliness, and regimentation. If you like those things, a career in the military will make sense to you. If you do not, you will not continue to be in the military. It is that simple.

So, what does that have to do with today's political situation? In short, it means that military leadership will not openly challenge the current idiocy coming from the President and the Secretary of War. They will simply continue doing what they are ordered to do and will insist that their subordinates do the same. Again, it is just that simple.

So, if you're hoping that there will be something important that comes of today's nonsensical lecturing from political leaders, you will not see what you hoped for. The Generals and Admirals will return to their duty stations and continue doing what they always do. They will follow their orders and order their underlings to do the same. That is what the military does. Period!

[underpants]

1. US Army here. Completely agree. You do what you're told.

Thomas E. Ricks had something in his book “Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq” that I don’t know I’d ever seen in print, the brass (especially the upper Pentagon brass) see Presidents as temps. They follow orders of course but they know they’ll out last an administration whether it’s 4 or 8 years.

[MineralMan]

2. Yes. Presidents are temporary. the military is not.

Very good point.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

3. They will do that until they stop.

Even military brass have limits. Their limits are higher than the average citizen, but they exist. It is possible, perhaps likely that the Tangerine Tyrant will push and push until they approach the brass's limits. Just how much in touch they will be with the limits is unknown, but not encouraging. Whether or not they will try to push the brass past their limits and institute massive purges is unknown, but possible.

[MineralMan]

4. Perhaps. I would not hold my breath.

[IbogaProject]

5. Their oath is to the Constitution

And to protect against all enemies foreign and Domestic, so there may be a line somewhere in this mess

[surfered]

7. JAG determine lawful orders. Hegseth fired a bunch.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday that he was replacing the top lawyers for the military services because he didn’t think they were “well-suited” to provide recommendations when lawful orders are given.
AP Feb 2025