Veterans Day this year came just days after my 20th reunion with my West Point classmates. I spent the weekend reconnecting with friends — some still in uniform, others like me long since transitioned to civilian life — and was reminded of the shared values that first brought us together.
I graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 2005 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers. My final assignment was at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where I served as a civil affairs officer from 2011 to 2014. Over nine years on active duty, I was humbled by the people who volunteered to serve our country — bound by shared values and a steadfast commitment to the oath we all took to support and defend the Constitution.
When I turned 18 and became eligible to vote, I was already a cadet at West Point and soon to be an Army officer. Since that time, I’ve never officially affiliated with any political party. Military service impressed upon me that the health of our republic depends on service members who uphold their oath to the Constitution, even when political tides shift around them — a principle I’ve carried with me long after hanging up the uniform.
North Carolina is home to one of the largest military bases — Fort Bragg — and one of the largest military and veteran populations in the country. Each November 11, communities gather to reflect on the meaning of service and what it asks of us as a society. It also reminds us of the enduring principles that guide the military and safeguard our democracy: a nonpartisan commitment to serve the nation, mutual trust between civilians and those in uniform, and a clear line between military duties and local law enforcement.
Our military strength depends on deep public trust that service members act in the interest of all Americans, rather than any single party or a politician. Upholding this principle keeps our democracy strong and ensures our armed forces are respected across all divides.
Recent actions across the nation, including here in North Carolina, threaten public trust in the military. The federal government has attempted and, in some instances, succeeded in deploying National Guard troops into major U.S. cities without the approval of state or local authorities to police civilians. These actions are now being challenged in the courts.
Just last week, three N.C. Congress members urged Governor Josh Stein to deploy the National Guard to Charlotte, citing the federal government’s deployments in other major cities. Tasking service members with missions meant for state and local authorities — many of them politically charged — threatens the military’s nonpartisan role and risks politicizing service members.
The same principle applies beyond the military to non-military federal authorities. When the government blurs the lines between national defense, law enforcement, and politics, it undermines both accountability and public safety. In North Carolina, for instance, bills like HB10 and HB318 require sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, effectively pulling local law enforcement into federal immigration enforcement. This blurring of roles erodes trust between police and the communities they serve — especially among immigrant communities who may fear reporting crimes — and diverts local policing resources from essential public safety duties. Just as deploying troops for civilian policing threatens the military’s nonpartisan integrity, these laws have the same effect at the local level.
Reuniting with my classmates last weekend reaffirmed that the foundational principles of military service must be upheld at all times, especially when they are under threat. We must recommit to the principle that the military exists to uphold the Constitution and defend our democracy, not to carry out political agendas.
Veterans, active-duty members, families and civic leaders all have a role in speaking clearly against any attempt to use the military as a tool for partisan gain. This Veterans Day, let’s honor service not only with parades, but by defending its purpose. If you’ve worn the uniform or love someone who has, speak up for policies that keep our military focused on national defense rather than domestic policing.
Jeffrey Glick is an Army veteran and U.S. Military Academy (West Point) graduate based in Chapel Hill, N.C. He currently works as a software engineering manager.
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