It was quintessential late ‘60s irreverence at established institutions. Interesting background...
The film was scripted by American communist Ring Lardner Jr. who had been one of the Hollywood Ten and produced by his long time literary agent Ingo Preminger (who had also represented Dalton Trumbo) and was directed by liberal Democrat Robert Altman. It was based on the 1968 novel by Korean War vet and military surgeon H. R. Hornberger who was not thrilled with how different the film was from his novel.
It was an ugly movie - and it fit well in an ugly time. It figures that the communists were heavily involved.