What would you tell friends about what to expect from joining the military and US politics?

Check your Politics at the door along with your civilian attire. We are sworn to the president and those officers appointed over us. Make your opinion known in the voting booth but other than that keep them private. We come from society as a whole and just as diverse politically. Did it for 21 years and had a blast and it was an honor and pleasure to serve alongisde all of you!

Our job is to execute policy, regardless if we agree with it or not (as long as it's not illegal of course). If your friends cannot be okay with that, they need not apply.

We do what we do, not what we think.

I have made it a point throughout my career to keep opinions about service to our Nation and opinions about politicians separate. What I mean by that is this.

I would encourage anyone who is interested in military service to join the ranks. To be a part of the profession of arms is like nothing else. There is a camaraderie within the ranks that cannot be replicated in any other profession. The lessons learned by serving are ones that will last a lifetime. The values instilled into servicemembers are ones that are taken back into the community and are then handed down to others. Service to Nation is a very admirable and rewarding choice.

With regards to politicians, here is what I think. Politicians, good or bad, can be compared to civilian employers, good or bad. The difference is that politicians get much more publicity and much more scrutiny for their actions, either good or bad. Yes, political agendas do drives some parts of military service, but I believe it is foolish to let that stop someone from raising their right hand and serving our Nation in uniform.

Politics in the military is best handled by the top brass. But every person should know the politics within the AOR.

The best lesson I learned about politics is when you take it from the root of it's terms.

Poli = Latin root: meaning many.
Tics = Blood sucking parasites; A bad habit.

You will be treated as an indentured servant with very minimal rights
Which are guaranteed by the US Constitution which you swore to upheld when you were inducted.

If military is chess, politicians are the people who plays It. Said by numerous professors. I'm a political science major in college, but the way I see it, it's not about power or money necessary, it's about serving your country. Plus, people who really get to make decisions usually were both with the connections as well. On the other hand, officers get to make decisions too, so...

I would say to someone interested in these two particulars the following, you are enlisting/commissioning in an organization which by intent is run by civilians. It is inescapable that the Military will have issues with politicians as they form the agenda's by which the military is called upon to enact. But this is not a truly symbiotic relation in that though the civilians have control the military by and large must give up rights which all U.S. citizens have for the privilege of defending our nation. The vast majority of the military does not have the ability to directly affect their predicament outside of the standard voting/communication with representative. This lack of direct influence to the source of control is contradictory to some and therefore would be hard to accept. If you join a service, you must conform to the service not require the service conform to you. In short, as previously stated unless you are in a position to work directly with policy makers and your advise, wisdom expertise have been sought out, you have no voice. Remain vigilant, know what is happening, be informed but know your place.