Most of my recent military service was during the Obama administration. I re-enlisted in August 2007, deployed to Iraq for a year in January 2009 and then left the Army National Guard in May 2016.
During those 11 years I witnessed dozens and dozens of change of Command ceremonies. From command of a company to a full division, the passing of the unit colors from the old commander to the new commander is very much the same ceremony. Whether in front of two dozen soldiers or ten thousand soldiers the officer holding power gives that power and privilege and responsibility to the next commander.
At many of these ceremonies, the new commander in the first address to the unit will talk about the peaceful transfer of power. How this peaceful transfer of power is a true American tradition dating back to President George Washington and continuing right up through the moment of the ceremony.
Nearly all of the commanders I served with, as well as most of the soldiers, were Republicans or conservative independents. They were proud of upholding this American tradition and looking forward to the peaceful transfer of power to a conservative President.
But these same soldiers I served with are now will continue their support for the current President even though he will not commit to the peaceful transfer of power.
In 1993, Vietnam War veterans made a great show saying they would not back President Clinton as a matter of honor, then honor melted like snow in the Sahara when they had their own despicable draft dodger. In the same way the words about the peaceful transfer of power will melt faster than the polar ice cap when their Dear Leader refuses to leave office.
The military reports to the Commander-in-Chief. When the C-in-C breaks the law, they will follow.
