Cherish Quote by Andrew Bacevich
“In present-day America, expressing reverence for those who serve in uniform is something akin to a religious obligation. Everyone professes to cherish America's "warriors." Yet such bountiful, if superficial, expressions of regard camouflage a growing gap between those who serve and those who applaud from the sidelines. Our present-day military system, based on the misnamed All-Volunteer Force, is neither democratic nor effective. Why has discussion and debate about its deficiencies not found a place among the nation's political priorities?”
About This Quote
Source Book: “The Age of Illusions” by Andrew Bacevich, 2015
American reverence for the military is superficial, masking a democratic deficit in the all‑volunteer force and a lack of public debate on its flaws
In simple terms: Public praise hides deeper military issues
Key Takeaway
Question the depth of national support for the military
Themes
society
military
democracy
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
essay
analytical
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- media coverage
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
Civil‑military relations
volunteer force critique
public discourse
Questions to Reflect On
- What does true support for service members look like?
- How can citizens engage meaningfully with military policy?
A Different Perspective
Superficial respect can prevent necessary reforms
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