If you really believe that, then I am glad you are gone. I admit that many feel as you do, and I intend to fight against your types with my last breath. Civil society knows as much about defending a nation as your average Communist. It is people holding your opinion that brought our Services Tailhook, Berets, Kara Hultgren, Dont-Ask, Dont-tell and other ridiculous examples of societal encroachment on the Military. None improved our Services, all were detrimental to moral, readiness and effectiveness.
I am sure you have heard the old saying; "the purpose of the Military is to kill people and break things". Many dont like it, but it happens to be true. It may not be that you are not reading enough, but only too much of the wrong things. I know enough about Politics to understand why there should always be a Chinese Wall between the goals of politicos and the goals of Armed Conflict.
I dont know what you did as an O-6, but your treatment on the ROE lacks experience. Not since Clinton has politics affected the ROE. TD, TOT, SR, TR and BDA determine ROE, which goes directly to the Theater Commander in country, where SOPs are presented to CINC and DOD but TOPs are figured out long before.
The age of an idea holds no bearing on whether it is a good idea. It aint like wine, my friend.
ROE's are often dictated and alway agreed to by the White House. It is how the White House keeps control of when combat starts, when it ends, and how and where it is conducted. It is pretty basic to the conduct of policy. If you did not know that then you do not know anything.