By the time it all becomes relevant the officer corps in the military will be almost entirely loyal to The One and the troops will follow their officers. I expect there will be or are already “political” officers whose numbers will grow and who will be responsible for keeping the other officers and noncoms in line. Troops will be more and more vetted for loyalty to their officers rather than to the Constitution or the society. The impending drawdown will facilitate that. Slashing the military will weaken it vis-a-vis the rest of the world but will strengthen it against the citizenry of the USA. Besides, the military will be more or less sidelined in a civil conflict while TSA and DHS etc etc will do the dirty work.These internal troops will be trained in using whatever weapons are deemed appropriate and drones, which require far fewer personnel in the close up personal action will take the place of tanks and artillery, at least in the early stages. The military will participate only if the internal troops are in danger of being overwhelmed. That is, in good par because leftists rulers always fear their militaries. The Soviets didn’t really trust theirs much until well after WWII and Achmedinejad still doesn’t trust his, nor does Morsi trust his. American leftists all hate the military and it is because they don’t trust it, they rather fear it.
Time... You make a good case; plus — I had overlooked the rapid turnover in the military. Maybe it’s now or never — but, a lone 75-year-old out in the boonies has little influence on such things... :-(