Blind Trust and the Broken Promises of Military Leadership: How Outdated Systems Fuel Veteran Struggles and Fail Democracy

The author of this Opinion piece wishes to remain anonymous to avoid reprisal and/or retaliation for openly expressing these thoughts. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Walk the Talk Foundation and its members.

In a recent conversation, I found myself echoing Albert Bandura's words on Moral Disengagement and plausible deniability within authorization systems. What struck me is how many people hold an unwavering faith in our political and military institutions, almost like a protective shield. This blind trust serves as a veil—a barrier preventing deeper scrutiny of the systems we serve. The consequences of this unquestioning loyalty become glaringly apparent when veterans leave these environments and take their chances with social reintegration.

Once out of service, the cognitive dissonance veterans experience becomes a personal battle, significantly contributing to the alarming suicide rates we're witnessing. This trend is unlikely to change in the next 30 to 40 years unless we fundamentally alter our approach to both military service and societal reintegration. The root of this issue lies in our outdated leadership techniques and institutional structures, which have failed to adapt to the realities of modern warfare, a more informed population, and the evolving nature of global conflicts.

Our military leadership structure, largely unchanged since the Cold War era, continues to prioritize rigid hierarchies and top-down decision-making. This approach is woefully inadequate in addressing the complexities of asymmetric warfare, cyber threats, and the rapid technological advancements that characterize modern conflicts. The result is a leadership cadre often ill-equipped to handle the nuanced, multifaceted challenges of contemporary geopolitics. Securing a board seat at a top defense contracting firm now plays a major role in their decision making; far more than honoring the commitment of those they lead by setting the conditions for military success, at least.

Moreover, our development pipelines for military leaders are stuck in a bygone era, emphasizing conformity over critical thinking and adaptability. In an age where information warfare and cultural understanding are as crucial as traditional combat skills, we continue to produce leaders trained primarily for conventional warfare scenarios, who will just say yes so that it keeps their career advancement alive. This misalignment between political end gaming and achieving real-world objectives not only hampers operational effectiveness but also leaves service members unprepared for the moral and ethical complexities they'll face in modern conflict zones.

While the military continues to invest in methods from a bygone era of constrained environments lesser enlightened leaders, a more educated and aware recruitment pool sees past the glitzy commercials critically compare the widely varying outcomes in post service veterans. This variability highlights a stark contrast between those who remain within the military-industrial complex (MIC) and those who attempt full social reintegration.

The irony is palpable: those who avoid internal crises often perpetuate the very conditions that foster them. Many of my colleagues in the MIC seem well-adjusted and emotionally stable, remaining in a thought bubble that demands unquestioning loyalty to past actions. In contrast, those attempting full social reintegration struggle with the remnants of dissociation, forced to confront the realities of humanity that chip away at the indoctrination they once held dear.

This dichotomy points to a larger issue within our military culture: the suppression of critical thinking and ethical questioning. By fostering an environment where blind obedience is valued over moral reasoning, we create a dangerous disconnect between military actions and their real-world consequences. This not only impacts veterans' ability to reintegrate into civilian life but also undermines the ethical foundation necessary for a just and effective military force.

The process of deconstructing deeply ingrained beliefs while facing external stressors has been one of the hardest experiences of my life. My wife often points out that I seem to approach life on "hard mode," pushing far beyond what most people would endure. The thought of undergoing that process ever again makes me more than just a bit uneasy, yet it's a necessary journey for many veterans—one that our society must better understand and support.

The discomfort created by challenging these systemic issues extends beyond veterans to society at large. Moving beyond simplistic notions of "patriotism" requires growth that many aren't willing to face. This reluctance is exacerbated by constant bombardment of existential crises in the media, feeding a cycle of fear that ultimately serves to maintain the status quo. Like other discarded social theories that managed to take root, it all starts by fostering fear, allowing some to demonize, politicize, and monetize anything that disrupts the current power dynamic. For many, it’s easier to just say thank you for your service and keep pushing along as though their involvement is not necessary – someone else did it so they don’t have to.

This fear-based approach to national security not only distorts public perception of military service but also enables the continuation of outdated and ineffective military strategies. By constantly framing global issues as existential threats, we justify enormous defense budgets and interventionist policies without critically examining their long-term consequences or what the “incidental outcomes”, better stated as financial gains, by those who deploy them.

To break this cycle and address these deeply rooted issues, I propose a multifaceted solution. First, we need mandatory, scalable service requirements—something akin to an expanded National Guard. This would create a common bonding experience and foster a sense of shared responsibility among citizens. Alongside this, we should implement significantly subsidized undergraduate or technical specializations that work to extend the age of majority to 26.

This proposal aligns with scientific understanding of brain development, which continues until about 26, and even later for neurodivergent individuals. By extending support for education and skill development into young adulthood, we can better prepare individuals for the complexities of modern society and civic engagement. This approach would help address the "hangover" from sending people out into the world at 18—a policy rooted in the industrial era's needs that no longer serves our current reality.

Furthermore, we need a regulatory mechanism that demystifies military service, integrates diverse backgrounds, and elevates both self-awareness and education. This would not only improve the military experience but also enhance civilian understanding of service members' challenges. Until military service is understood by more than just a small portion of the population—most of whom remain unaware of how they've been disenfranchised from the American dream—the cycle of service, struggle, and tragedy will continue.

Crucially, we must reimagine military leadership development for the 21st century. This means creating programs that emphasize ethical decision-making, cultural competence, and adaptive problem-solving. We need leaders who can navigate the grey areas of modern conflict, who understand the long-term implications of military actions on global stability, and who can effectively communicate complex strategies to both their teams and the public. While this might be how the current regime qualifies their leadership development, anyone who has served over the last 20 years can tell you that’s all talk. Advancement in service now requires the bolstering of egos, the cunning navigation of “alpha male” mentalities, and refusing to push back when bad ideas pick up momentum. How that can be conflated with ethical decision making and cultural competence makes as much sense as the “successful” Global War on Terror campaign.? Yeah, that thing we have been doing for the past 20+ years where all we’ve managed to grow is a deeper hatred for western involvement in theatre politics and the bank accounts of MIC investors.

To be clear, I'm not advocating for any extreme ideology. However, it's evident that resource hoarding and unchecked power are at the root of many social issues we face today. We must critically examine the DIME (Diplomatic, Information, Military, Economic) instruments of power and the unelected players who influence their use. These actors often direct power outside the democratic process, turning those instruments inward on the American public while conflating broad concepts like "freedom" and "liberty" with true equality.

The result is a population of cattle-like consumers, content with their role yet unaware of the larger system they serve. This complacency extends to our approach to national security, where we've allowed a small group of defense contractors and policy think tanks to wield disproportionate influence over military strategy and spending. By doing so, we've created a self-perpetuating cycle of conflict that serves corporate interests more than national security.

It's almost laughable how a system meant to serve us seems to work against us. Yet, many remain enamored with participating in it, highlighting the need for widespread education and awareness. We must foster a new kind of civic education that encourages critical analysis of our institutions, including the military, and promotes active engagement in shaping defense policy.

Like many disillusioned service members, I want my service and the sacrifices of so many others to have counted for something. It feels like the only chance to make that time matter now is to learn from it so we don’t keep making the same mistakes with my children’s generation. We desperately want the United States to transform into the global example it aspires to be, moving beyond superficial notions of freedom and liberty towards genuine equality and shared prosperity. The path forward requires us to confront uncomfortable truths and challenge long-held beliefs about military service, national security, and civic duty.

The journey won't be easy, but it's one we must undertake for the sake of future generations and the health of our democracy. Only through this comprehensive reevaluation and reform can we hope to create a military that truly serves the needs of the 21st century—one that values ethical leadership, embraces complexity, and prioritizes long-term global stability over short-term financial gains.

Ultimately, this transformation of our military and civic structures is not just about improving the lives of service members or enhancing national security. It's about redefining what it means to be a citizen in a modern democracy, fostering a society that is both more secure and more just. By aligning our military practices with our highest democratic ideals, we can create a model of service and citizenship that truly reflects the values we claim to uphold.

If you feel that you have been a victim of these types of concerns, feel free to reach out privately at [email protected] , or share your story in the comments.

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Find Graphic Here: Military suicides rise to a record 349, topping number of troops killed in combat - The Washington Post