Whenveteranscame home from war from Vietnam, from Iraq, from Afghanistan many of us didnt stop serving.
We traded our uniforms for suits.
We became the quiet professionals who helped keep America competitive without firing a shot.
President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House on March 25Win McNamee/Getty Images
These werent just any public servants.They were veterans of Fallujahleading agricultural development in Ethiopia.
Medics from Helmand who became global health experts during the Ebola and Covid crises.
Civil affairs Marines stabilizing fragile governments through USAID.
Army logisticians forming the backbone of disaster relief and global supply chain security.
Former aviators orchestrating emergency evacuations and air diplomacy at U.S. embassies worldwide.
Now they are being thrown out like garbage.
As we throttle down our professionals, Chinais supercharging their nation-building teamsworldwide.
If you think the Trump administrations purge of the federal workforce is about saving taxpayer dollars, think again.
These cuts will cost us far more in global influence, economic opportunity, and national security.
This is how the American Century ends: not with a bang, but with a RIF.
