The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the US Air Force, Department of Defense or the US Government.

Have you ever noticed that the military tends to surround itself with stories of grandeur, daring missions, and larger-than-life heroes? From young ages, we’re taught to thank veterans for their service. Big department stores like Hobby Lobby are swamped with cheap decorations with messages such as, “Land of the free because of the brave.” My mom got one of these when I first joined the military, and I believe it continues to sit above the microwave, even as I’ve come to question how much the military contributes to freeing our land.

This idea of military heroes isn’t just limited to little tchotchkes and vague sayings on Veterans’ Day; it was also a foundational idea at the US Air Force Academy, unsurprisingly.

One particular rule I remember from basic and Doolie year was to never allow your uniform to touch the ground. Doing so – dirtying the uniform in any way – was disrespectful, and it is because of the actions of those who came before that we should respect and honor the uniform, as people have given their lives while wearing it. This idea of heritage, that we belong to something larger than ourselves, is what I believed made serving in the military so special. It was the opportunity – perhaps even the challenge – to be something more than you could achieve individually.

But lately, this heritage that the military holds so dear seems to be........

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