When the victorious Gen. George Washington relinquished his commission as commander in chief of the Continental Army in 1783, he began a tradition of absolute civilian control over the U.S. military. He set the tone for the next 227 years: Our military stays out of our politics.
This tradition, a source of pride for both our military and our civilian population, has allowed America to become the great nation it is. Washington’s selfless and patriotic act is rightly commemorated in a mural within the Capitol that every tour guide points out to those visiting.
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