I also argue that liberal democracy is central to our modern understanding of the profession of arms because it preserves professional ethics in a way that other systems cannot. Serving in an illiberal state means abandoning the profession itself. 5/

Ultimately, we are living in essentially unprecedented civ-mil times. This requires deep engagement and a re-evaluation of existing norms--especially because I fear that there are far more challenging situations up ahead, and senior leadership will find themselves tested like never before. 7/7

US Grant: best general in US history, one of the most decent people to ever hold high office, and just catastrophically terrible at anything having to do with money or business. from birth to death one comical pratfall after the next