The Creeping Politicization of the U.S. Military

In fact, politicization of the military may soon get even worse, especially if some in the right wing of the Republican Party have their way. In the past, politicians often used service members as political props and military policies as wedge issues to appeal to voters, with the military as bystander in its own politicization. In the next phase, politicians may seek to impose ideological litmus tests in promotions and appointments of senior officers. If successful, such tactics would transform the military from the nonpartisan force it is today to an ally of one faction of the GOP.