One of my trainers is an officer in the Navy Reserve, but he’s done two tours abroad, both times in connection to the Navy SEALs, the first in Iraq and the second in Afghanistan. 

Like me, his political views range from conservative to Libertarian. Unlike me, he’s had direct experience with US conflicts overseas.

His respect for and attachment to his fellow soldiers is very strong, but the belief he once had in the purpose and integrity of US foreign policy was severely fractured by what he saw with his own eyes.

I thought of him when I was putting together this issue.