Any Gunny has my respect. But knowing the enemy is important.
"But knowing the enemy is important....." Agreed. However, I doubt that it's important to know the difference when your primary job is to obtain budget from congress, and making sure you live up to the traditional political ideals of "Me first", and "I just want to be loved".
To a politician - any politician, including Reyes - a war is just a better way to get your face on TV. I have yet to meet a politician I didn't despise.