[smoothsailing]

I don't know if the rot is in the civilian leadership or the military leadership (or both), but it is obvious that it exists.

It most likely originates with civilian leadership, which would be expected. What is troubling is the apparent lack of push back from the brass.

[jazusamo]

You may have stated it better than I with the apparent lack of pushback from the brass.

[Wonder Warthog]

"It most likely originates with civilian leadership, which would be expected. What is troubling is the apparent lack of push back from the brass."

I concur on your second point. VERY troubling. What seems to be happening is that leftist administrations pack the lower levels of the civilian bureaucracy with mental and philosophical clones of themselves, and when the 'Pubbies come in, they fail to "clean house" and play the "bipartisan game". And as those lower-level players become higher-level players, they push for "like thinkers" to man the military side as well.

I'm actually beginning to think that the old "spoils system" might be better.