I was still a dumb lib back then. But my radicalization has really peeled opened my eyes to my part in continuing colonialism in Africa and imperialism in the Middle East.
But if I had never served, a lot of the understanding I have would not exist. Or how the military functions and how fucked up and clueless everyone is. Or how so many are working class being recruited for the basic conditions we as leftists want for everyone. Housing, job, sense of purpose, food, etc.
Just hard tackling all of this stuff and thoughts sometimes.
We're all victims and perpetrators of Capitalist Oppression. And there may be a reckoning for that one day.
But the Military often are part of the Vanguard because of their involvement. Look at the Sailors of Leningrad, or the Germans and their lower officers who revolted and ended WW1, very nearly making Europe Communist. We owe so much to their bravery.
Somewhere in Catholic doctrine there's a line that says something like "God loves the worst redeemed sinner more than any saint", and I think that's true for those who were part of the Dictatorship of the Bourgeoisie and turned their knowledge and skill to that of the people.
I personally feel I’ve turned pretty hard line towards communism. Of course I’m still reading theory and always trying to develop it internally. Figure out how to apply it to the US, the working class here, etc.