[DiogenesLamp]

Doesn't change the fact that "public office" means a civilian officer. Jackson wasn't general at the time he made that comment.

I think you are wrong about this. I think it DOES apply to all military officers. Remember, he said any public officer who swears an oath to the constitution. Sounds like Military officers qualify to me.

I never said the military aren't allowed to understand the constitution.

It's an axiomatic component of your argument. If they are not permitted to judge constitutionality, how can they defend it when they aren't allowed to comprehend it?

[curiosity]

I think you are wrong about this. I think it DOES apply to all military officers.

I am right. Look up the definition of "public officer."

Me: I never said the military aren't allowed to understand the constitution.

It's an axiomatic component of your argument.

No it's not.

If they are not permitted to judge constitutionality, how can they defend it when they aren't allowed to comprehend it?

They are allowed to make judgements, but where there is a dispute, they must defer the determination of the civilian branches of government. If it were otherwise, we would be living in a military dictatorship.

[curiosity]

Let me ask you this: if the military thinks x on some constitutional question, and all three civilian branches of government unanimously decide y, who's judgement triumphs?