Rest assured, the idea that the American Left is congenitally anti-military is not self-evident. True, they may not be as eager to apply military solutions to non-military problems as conservatives are, but this does not necessarily translate to distrust or hatred of the armed forces. It is one of those convenient little myths ideologues cultivate to justify their refusal to listen to anything the other side has to say, sort of like "all conservatives are racist".

Even back in the 60s, when this urban legend was first planted and nurtured by the pro-Vietnam war crowd, it was highly exaggerated. In fact, I believe it was deliberately started to obscure the fact that even though much of the counterculture was indeed against the war, it was mostly members of the counterculture who were getting drafted to fight it.

But you are right about one thing. The only part of the world ever "devoured" by the Vietnamese was Vietnam. That wasn't the story we were getting from our own leaders at the time, which is why today people have a tendency to be suspicious of what their government has to say about why it is always fighting in foreign lands.

The military, and especially the professional officer corps, has no business being pro or anti any particular war. It's purpose is to fight wars the civilians want fought, and stay out of all the others. I don't like the idea of a military with an ideological slant to it. In fact, it scares the hell out of me.