As the nation has dealt with long-lasting commitments around the globe, a painful recession, deep partisan polarization, and dysfunction in Washington, views of most central institutions have fallen, according to the Gallup Organization.
A US soldier prays during a ceremony marking the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the United States, in Kabul, Afghanistan September 11, 2015. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail.
There are only a few exceptions to this pattern. Confidence in the military remains high. In fact, it is the most highly rated institution in Gallup’s poll series about our confidence in institutions. In all but one year since 1989, the military has taken the top spot in these yearly ratings of more than a dozen institutions.
There are no doubt many reasons for this high standing. Most of us know someone – a family member, a relative or a friend – who has served. We ask a great deal of these men and women, and we are aware of the sacrifices they make. In a November 2014 YouGov poll, 66% of Americans said members of the military contribute “a lot” to the well-being of our society, the second highest-ranked professional contribution after medical doctors.
But another reason is the military’s performance. The public believes that the military addresses its problems and mistakes and moves forward. That is one reason the military’s high standing has surmounted scandals as different as Tailhook and Abu Graib. The military’s mission is clearly defined in the public’s mind, and our soldiers carry it out extremely well.
In the early 1990s, when Gallup asked Americans whether it was important for the country to be #1 militarily, 61% said it was. When they posed the question earlier this year, 68% gave the response. Americans realize ours is a dangerous world. We owe it to those who have fought and died in the service of our country and to those who are serving today to nurture respect for our veterans and honor their sacrifice—not just on Veterans Day, but every day.
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