During my 25 years in uniform, I came to recognize a profound irony in my service to our nation, particularly around the time I made 1st Lieutenant. The military was actively engaged in combating the spread of communism and socialism abroad, yet within our own ranks, we operated under one of the most socialist systems in the United States. This realization brought a unique perspective to my understanding of service and the structures that support it.
In the military, unlike the civilian world, we didn’t strive for profit. Our existence was funded entirely by taxpayer dollars, which meant we lived off the wealth of others. The resources we used, from equipment to housing, were provided without the need to generate revenue. Ironically, this is a key characteristic of the socialist systems we were trained to oppose. The military’s focus was not on profit but on readiness and mission accomplishment, often leading to paradoxical behaviors.
A particularly striking aspect was the annual budget cycle. Every year, as the fiscal year drew to a close on September 30th, there was a frantic rush to spend the remaining budget. If we didn’t use all allocated funds, we risked receiving a reduced budget the next cycle. This led to unnecessary and often wasteful expenditures, a practice starkly at odds with efficient resource management. In civilian terms, it was akin to being rewarded for wasting resources, further highlighting the irony of our situation.
Military life also involved strict regulations and oversight that mirrored socialist principles. We had to register our cars and firearms, submit to periodic home inspections, and adhere to rigid community standards. Even seemingly minor infractions, like having grass that was half an inch too long, or if a child misbehaved in school, a dog barking too much could result in immediate counseling from a superior. This level of control and surveillance within our personal lives was reminiscent of the systems we were fighting against, yet it was a daily reality for us.
Ultimately, my years in uniform taught me to appreciate the complexities and contradictions inherent in large organizations, and our military being amongst the biggest.The military’s socialist-like system was essential for its unique mission and structure, even as it fought ideologies that shared some superficial similarities. But these same traits shouldn’t apply in a truly free society.
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