Having family in the military may shape your worldview— but let’s not pretend there’s only one shape that could take.

My experience in a military family was formative in my feelings about symbols of nationhood— but the experience led me to be skeptical of the role those symbols played in our lives, not to double down on defending them.

I believe that the anthem protests are a better demonstration of actual desire for our country to fulfill its ideals than unquestioned reverence has ever been.

With the history of US military action in the last 20 years in mind, I feel comfortable asserting that unquestioned reverence for the nation can reinforce some pretty irresponsible choices. I want people to question these things! I do not want them to be above reproach.

Anyway the military is not a monolith and everyone is responsible for their own perspectives on issues like this one. Being from a military family does not *necessarily* result in unexamined nationalism. If that’s where it led you, maybe it’s time to ask why.