America has always felt ambivalent towards its armed forces. During national emergencies it has shown them support, but during longer eras of calm this has often turned to distrust and scorn. LTC Robert Bateman examines the underpinnings of this uneasy and complex relationship, which has been mirrored and expressed most intensely (sometimes in surprising ways) on college and university campuses. He discusses the advent of the ROTC and the similar vicissitudes it has experienced. (Contains 32 footnotes.)