Here is a graphical summary of three years of polls 
conducted by the Military Times on their active-duty subscribers. Assuming this is reasonably representative of the military as a whole, the results are that the military is much more conservative than liberal (unrepresentative of the US population) but that the military is split on the likelihood of success in Iraq (this is representative of the US as a whole 
, despite the conservative skew in military political views). The military is slightly more inclined than the general population to think we should have invaded Iraq.
The trend lines are particularly interesting: even within the military, enthusiasm for the war in Iraq is rapidly waning. Political affiliation is shifting too, and I doubt it's because lots of liberals are enlisting. Plots below the fold -- whaddya think?
Comments :
There's a lot more data
that could be examined, and of course there are probably better sources and more comprehensive surveys available. If anyone has a particular plot they'd like to see and doesn't feel like crunching through the numbers themselves, lemme know and I'll do what I can. Otherwise do post whatever nuggets you find interesting as either comments, numbers, or graphs.
Come, my friends. 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world -- Tennyson
Great research
While I always knew that the military tilted right, I find it interesting the shifts in opinion that mirror the overall societal shifts about the war and party identification, but just a bit delayed.
The saddest part about this is that the soldiers seem to be losing faith in their mission (understandably). I know if I had to put my neck on the line, it would be depressing and dangerous if I did not believe in my mission. To ask unlimited patience of them is too much.
I sense the war in Iraq will come to some kind of closure in the next year or so (at the latest after the next election).
We are all mediators, translators. - Derrida
http://signicide.blogspot.com/
On this topic,
I had a conversation with my friend who just got back from a tour of duty in Afghanistan about the situation there and in Iraq. I'm a little unsure about how to approach discussing it, since it's not like I told him, "Hey, I blog, so anything you say here might be used in a public forum."
Thoughts?
Saint, n. A dead sinner revised and edited. - Ambrose Bierce
Tough one
You don't want him to feel like you're grilling him for info so that you can become rich and famous by blogging about it (not likely on SC, but anyway). OTOH it is always nice to present firsthand information (stripped of any details that could identify people or get them in trouble, of course).
Perhaps if he knew people might be interested in his opinions he'd want you to share them. I dunno, up to you, it probably depends quite a bit on your personal relationship and how you think your friend would react.
Come, my friends. 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world -- Tennyson
Ask him if he minds
you sharing his experience with friends online, as long as he remains anonymous and see if he is comfortable with that.
I'm only half stupid
If he's
interested, invite him to post a diary about his experiences and his political views here on this site. Just an idea if he's willing.
We are all mediators, translators. - Derrida
http://signicide.blogspot.com/