I think I'm speaking from a couple of generations before xone and I'm not going to do anything but reinforce the points made.
At one time, I'd have claimed that '67 through '74 was the absolute worst time to be MIL.
Then I realized that the exact same "stuff" has gone on cyclically, usually corresponding with a "D" presidency but in fact more of a function of DS/Media maneuvering with cooperation of certain members of the House and/or Senate since forever. (One point must be made here....the advertised political party affiliation doesn't mean squat.)
My Dad went through their wringer during WWII along with everything else associated with George Patton. (That line about how "united the country was" during those years is just another load of media crap at least according to my Old Man.)
Then they got MacArthur.
'Nam was just another low point, then it was the Tailhook "Scandal" then.....well, just check some old NYSlime headlines.
They're usually at the lead whenever time comes to badmouth MIL again. Then if there's nothing else to print, they'll just get some REMF to claim all vets are domestic terrorists.
One other comment of xone's: the mopes who conduct it aren't going to bitch and the guys below have better hills to fight on....I just had to LOL.
Don't worry about the MIL. There are a whole lot more of them/us than anyone realizes. Or really wants to think about.
Thanks for your valuable insights and for your service.