As a Vietnam Veteran (1970) I have a few insights to contribute to this discussion.
The first is not much has changed since I served in the Army. The transition from being government property to a free civilian is as rocky as ever.
Despite veteran groups doing what they can - and I applaud them all - the basic problem lies in acceptance.
Most young people who go into the military form a bond of sorts. When they get discharged that bond is ruptured and there is a period of drifting in a sea of civilians who can't relate to their military experiences.
Secondly, everyone who signs up for the military is not necessarily being patriotic. Many get out of school and don't know what to do with themselves. College may not be an option.
The draft was going on when I went into the Army, and the majority of people I met simply didn't want to be in the military, and especially didn't want to go to Vietnam.
I suspect that was a major catalyst for a lot of members in the military to take on an antigovernment stance that carried into their civilian lives.
Today the inner core of most militias are Vietnam veterans mentoring each new generation, and instilling in them a total distrust of government.
Prior to Korea and Vietnam, the majority of Americans who signed up in the military did it out of as sense of patriotism and duty to country.
I'm not totally blaming Vietnam veterans for the current state of affairs. There's other reasons why veterans get involved in antigovernment activities.
Which brings us to today. A populist/fascist has arisen among the dissatisfied in the last five years that caters to all of their (antigovernment citizens) fears motivating them to violence.
When I saw how many veterans were involved in the Jan. 6 insurrection I was nauseous. It's one thing to be antigovernment and it's another to try and overthrow our government.
Some good points were brought up in the hearing, but at the end of the day no real solutions were offered. Awareness is good. Action is better.
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