"traditions die hard in the military"  Really?  Desegregation in the 40s?  Women in the military with the same pay in the 70s?  Minority and women generals/admirals in the 70s?  Women in combat?  Accommodation for pregnancy in the 80s?  Recognition of gays and gay marriage?  I think if one really looks into it, one will find the military is in the vanguard of social change and why would that be?