The military is supposed to reflect the society it is supposed to represent. I agree that standards are the glue etc but I don't agree that excluding a portion of society can be deemed to be a standard (or not one worthy of an organisation such as the US Armed Forces).

I completely agree on the briefings point, but that is just the military going overboard on a new policy etc (which they do on everything). There is not enough time in the day to actually attend every mandatory brief and read every mandatory manual!!

I used to think exactly like you and maybe I got old but I saw some stuff and changed my perspective and mellowed a little. I don't think we are going to agree on this but I respect your opinion! I do think it is something you'll have to accept in the next few years though, regardless of what Trump says.