your career constitutes that of a "sycophant running around in fatigues."
I assume you're talking about Colonel Higgins. Two tours in Viet Nam. Service with the Reagan Defense Department. Instructor at the Marine NCO school. Doesn't sound like a sycophant to me. The Marine Corps doesn't issue the CIB, but his Bronze Star and other awards speak for themselves.
As for me, over 20 years service and never heard a shot fired in anger. How about you?