I have not viewed Pence as terribly swampy, but maybe I have not been paying attention. Pence has at least figured out that in politics unattached attractive women are not your friends and he avoids being alone with them in a room. This might be one thing Miller has learned from Pence. I think that anything he said refers to political skills, not military skills.
Perhaps Miller is being political in the sense that by offering recognition is trying to move Pence deeper into the Trump camp. Its not like the Military is apolitical, certainly in the higher grades. You defer and compliment your superiors and this builds trust and relationships.
When Pence was in the House of Representatives he wanted to make Puerto Rico the 51st state.