The US military is currently the most powerful in the world. Is there anything in place, besides soldiers’/CO’s individual allegiances to stop a military coup?
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One thing no one has mentioned yet that I think is important is that “The US Military” is not a single entity. The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and National Guard are all separate and distinct entities, the members of whom don’t necessarily feel any kinship or connection to those in other branches. It would be exceedingly difficult for a demagogic military leader to inspire enough loyalty from all branches to successfully execute a full on coup. Army guys aren’t gonna break the law for a Naval leader, Air force guys won’t break the law for a marine leader, etc. In theory a Julius Caesar type could rise to the head of the Joint Chiefs of staff, and, through incredible charisma get the vast majority of armed forces members across branches to follow him in a coup, but people like that are once in a millennia, and anyway, if you’re that charismatic, why not just do it the legal way and run for President?
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