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As most of you are aware (or will be after reading this sentence), Trump has called for a military parade similar to the annual Bastille Day parade in France (we can ignore for a bit how they will be in almost no way similar).

Now, President Trump wants his own military parade in Washington, with soldiers marching and tanks rolling down the boulevards. Officials told The Washington Post on Tuesday that they have begun planning a grand military parade later this year showcasing the might of America’s armed forces.

I'm curious if this really is anything more than Trump's strongman tendencies or maybe just an ego thing after watching the French. I think if nothing else it raises a question of "why now?". The last one in the US was back in '91 to honor the Persian Gulf War victory so I'm not seeing a corollary reason for the parade now. What really is the point of these displays other than as a muscle flexing contest or as a distraction?

Perhaps some of our former military personnel might chime in and let us know how these sorts of things are or were perceived by you?

I'm hoping it will involve ICBM's on trucks and Trump surrounded by generals covered in a comic amount of medals. Might as well go all in.

On an aside, for all of modern conservative fetishizing of the founding fathers, Trump is almost scientifically designed to be everything they feared and designed the government to prevent.

Xenophon wrote:Perhaps some of our former military personnel might chime in and let us know how these sorts of things are or were perceived by you?

As a guy who has participated in more Pass and Reviews than I'd like to remember, I think this is a fantastic waste of money, resources, and readiness on our part. I can't even begin to describe how embarrassing and pointless this is. It's absurd, but what else is new with this President?

- Doc

EAllusion wrote:I'm hoping it will involve ICBM's on trucks and Trump surrounded by generals covered in a comic amount of medals. Might as well go all in.

Could only be better if there was a gigantic poster or banner with his image on it flown around, something like this.

DocCam wrote:As a guy who has participated in more Pass and Reviews than I'd like to remember, I think this is a fantastic waste of money, resources, and readiness on our part. I can't even begin to describe how embarrassing and pointless this is.

This is identical to the few other responses I got from my buddies. Even one as a Trump supporter was a little confused as to the point of it.

Just think of all the jobs that will be created by the need to repair the asphalt after the Abrams roll through.

You just don’t like winning.

To me it feels like Trump is channeling his inner Stalin.

Tin pot dictator move.

From what I can find, the Gulf War parade cost about $8 Million (~$14 Million, adjusted for inflation).

Trump's parade will be huge. Beautiful. The budget will be very generous. Believe me.

EAllusion wrote:On an aside, for all of modern conservative fetishizing of the founding fathers, Trump is almost scientifically designed to be everything they feared and designed the government to prevent.

how does the OP bring this rather skewed opinion to light?...and are you suggesting the FF did not like to celebrate the military?

Xenophon wrote:As most of you are aware (or will be after reading this sentence), Trump has called for a military parade similar to the annual Bastille Day parade in France (we can ignore for a bit how they will be in almost no way similar).

what details do you have that support your claim that the pentagon's planned parade will be "in almost no way similar"?

And why do you state that you will ignore something that is clearly the only subject matter for your OP?

And why do you single out former military opinions? Are you suggesting a value for their opinion on this topic which may be different than the value of the citizenry which employs them?