Keep in mind we're not even supposed to have a standing army. From the Constitution:
The money can't be used for terms longer than two years, yet various leases and contracts extend longer than that, enlistments are for much longer terms than that, it's just completely ignored. A Navy can't really be used to persecute one's own people, but an Army sure can.
There was that whole Civil War thing, and the blockading of Southern Ports by the Yankees.... but except that non-standard circumstance.... you're spot on.
If you look at all empires in time, the synthesis of military war machine and the ability to use their forces for imposition of economic policy both foreign and domestic entities is critical for continuity.
Here in lies the problem with the current Regime. The White Rage Milley stooges are faced with a serious dilema on how to recruit forces whilst bowing to DEI agendas. This is coupled with the reality that people who reach that level of leadership are almost always Yes Men by their nature.
Something I noticed in both the Military AND Corporate world is that it is rare for someone is an innovator to reach positiosn of power.
A great Example is General Victor Krulak or "Brute" as he was called. He was one of the toughest, most intelligent and fearless leaders in the Marine Corps in the WWII time and witnessed the Japanese use of flat boats in invasions of China as a 3rd party observer as a young Lt. He then revolutionized the military's efforts by pushing for what became the Higgins Boat... and allowed amphibious assaults in WWII.
He was incredibly controversial because of his blunt and unforgiving attitude about incompetence and often lacked poltical correctness/tact required to reach the role of Commandant.... which he wanted. He was snubbed for his lack of cow-towing to other's YET the man mad contributions to the WWII War strategy and execution on par with Eisenhower and Patton.... though less well known.
This is the example of institutional inertia that one has to deal with when looking at the leadership of the military. They often serve to appease the institution's existance. The worse example of this in recent times was General Amos, who was a prolific waster of the Tax Payer budget.
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