I am tired of hearing the left or right generalize the other side as being un-American, especially when my brothers and sisters who served this country honorably come from all over the place politically. We served our country, many of us deployed in what we were told was the defense of this country. We lost friends. Please stop dishonoring us by these false claims.
The politics of the active military and veteran community are complex, shaped by unique experiences, institutional influences, and historical trends.
While individuals in these groups hold diverse political views, some overarching patterns exist in their political attitudes, voting behaviors, and policy concerns.
Here’s a breakdown of the key factors at play:
### **1. Political Leanings & Voting Trends**
#### **Active Military**
**Traditionally Conservative:** The active-duty military has historically leaned conservative, particularly among officers and combat arms personnel. This is partly due to military life’s hierarchical, disciplined nature, the emphasis on national security, and the Republican Party’s historical support for defense spending.
**Varied Among Enlisted Ranks:** While officers tend to be more conservative, enlisted personnel, particularly younger service members and those from diverse backgrounds, exhibit more varied political leanings.
**Libertarian Streak:** Many military members, especially those in combat roles, lean libertarian or anti-establishment, skeptical of government overreach and bureaucracy.
**Democratic Support in Some Demographics:** Service members from minority backgrounds, women, and those in technical or support roles (logistics, medical, cyber) often align more with Democratic policies, especially regarding social issues and veteran benefits.
#### **Veterans**
**Leaning Right, But Less So Over Time:** Veterans have traditionally leaned Republican, valuing strong defense, law-and-order policies, and patriotic nationalism. However, younger veterans, particularly those who served post-9/11, show a more diverse political spread.
**Policy-Oriented Voting:** Veterans care deeply about policies affecting VA healthcare, disability benefits, and mental health support, which sometimes align more with Democratic policies despite conservative leanings.
**Split on Foreign Policy:** Some veterans advocate for a strong military presence globally, while others—particularly those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan—express skepticism of prolonged military interventions.
2. Key Political Issues**
**Military & Defense Spending**
Most military personnel support substantial defense budgets and readiness.
Veterans, especially those who have seen combat, are more critical of wasteful spending and endless wars.
There is tension between those who advocate for increased military funding and those who believe the money should be better allocated (e.g., to improve VA care rather than new weapons systems).
**Veterans’ Healthcare & Benefits**
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a top concern.
Many veterans support reforms to VA healthcare but are split on whether privatization is the answer.
Mental health, PTSD care, and suicide prevention are increasingly high-priority issues.
#### **Foreign Policy & War**
Older veterans and Cold War-era military members tend to support strong interventionist policies.
Post-9/11 veterans are more skeptical of foreign interventions, war profiteering, and extended occupations.
Some veterans advocate for diplomacy and reduced global military presence, while others support a strong, proactive stance against threats like China and Russia.
**Gun Rights & Second Amendment**
Generally strong support for gun rights among both active-duty personnel and veterans.
Some veterans support limited reforms, like red flag laws, particularly those dealing with mental health crises.
**Social Issues**
Military members are more socially conservative on average but are influenced by policies like the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the inclusion of women in combat roles.
Veterans are more split, with younger veterans often supporting LGBTQ+ rights, criminal justice reform, and racial equality efforts.
**Political Leadership & Civil-Military Relations**
Many military members and veterans distrust politicians, seeing them as self-serving.
There is frustration with how political decisions affect military operations, such as unclear objectives in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The politicization of the military (e.g., culture war issues, DEI programs, or accusations of “woke” policies) is a contentious topic within the community.
**3. The Rise of Veteran Political Activism**
Many veterans transition into politics, often running as Republicans, but there’s a growing presence of Democratic and independent veteran candidates.
Groups like *VoteVets* (left-leaning) and *Concerned Veterans for America* (right-leaning) advocate for veteran issues from different ideological perspectives.
The “military-industrial complex” and war profiteering have led to anti-establishment movements within the veteran community.
**4. Generational Differences**
**Vietnam-era veterans:** Distrustful of government, many turned anti-war after their service.
**Cold War-era veterans:** More traditionally conservative, pro-military.
**Gulf War & Iraq/Afghanistan veterans:** More politically diverse, questioning of interventionist policies, and focused on VA reform and mental health.
**5. The Political Divide Within**
There’s a growing civil-military divide between the public and those who serve, as fewer Americans have direct ties to the military.
Veterans often feel **exploited** by politicians who use them as props but fail to deliver on promises.
Active-duty personnel are expected to remain **apolitical**, but political tensions exist, especially with the increasing military use in domestic situations (e.g., border security, National Guard deployments).
**Final Thoughts**
While the military and veteran community lean right overall, they are not a monolithic voting bloc.
Many veterans, particularly younger ones, are increasingly skeptical of endless wars, care deeply about VA reform, and hold diverse views on social and economic policies.
The active military remains disciplined and cautious about political involvement, but growing cultural and political shifts continue to impact its makeup.
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