Create Department of Military (DoM)
Create two divisions:
Department of Defense (DoD)
Department of War (DoW)
Each Branch: Army, Navy, Air Force;
sometimes Coasties, but this would likely roll them into Navy and absolve Department of Homeland Security; would be able to have a foot in both the DoW and DoD.
Either Congress can institute a draft for the DoD and not DoW, maintaining some of their check and balances. Then only officers in DoM decide if we invade a foreign entity, voting for campaigns can only be done by those who would join not politicians. Congress still controls funds unless DoW goes green on spoils of war, this allows our society, if it openly becomes war focused, to conquer peoples for profit, but I don’t look so poorly on my fellow citizens.
Officers in the DoM can vote unit to move into DoW to join campaigns. Officers have set salary, enlisted (also salaried, but less) enjoy spoils of war from campaigns in DoW. This due to enlisted not having direct vote in going to a foreign nation, but being able to monetarily reap profit. Though they can talk to their command and potentially request change of command if they wish not to, say if class divide between officers in enlisted becomes an issue. This is why officers cannot monetarily benefit from war.
Department of Defense only operates in US borders and draft only enlists to DoD. So no American has to die outside US soil against their direct will.
Department of War and Defense change doesn’t physically change the on the ground mechanics of the military rather cleans up ethics.
examples:
DoD in time of peace acts like CCC, platform for youth and hard workers to get payed, learn structure, and rebuild US economy. Also creates more security for youth out of high school, without worrying about being sent to the Middle East.
The Marines would mostly rest in the DoW as they act as the Presidents reactionary force.
Take the conflict in Ukraine or Israel. If certain officers wanted to join campaigns they could vote amongst themselves and decide who would go. If it’s a war propped up by Neo-cons maybe they don’t go to Ukraine or Israel.
What about the ‘cool’ guys, tier 1 and tier 2? This could make a better platform for them to operate and avoid bureaucrats. Might increase transparency, which might not be a horrible thing.
Theres plenty more actual thought to be put towards this idea, but this seems like the basic framework that could be successfully implemented.