As a veteran who proudly wore the uniform of the United States and later served as an antiterrorism officer within the Department of Defense, I know firsthand that our military’s strength is rooted not just in our firepower, but in our principles.

Around the world, America has historically been respected not only for our might, but for what we stand for: freedom, the rule of law and a long-standing tradition of keeping partisan politics out of national defense. These aren’t just ideals — they’re the foundation of our republic and the source of our moral authority on the global stage.

This is why the increasing politicization of our military deeply alarms me, and I fear its implications for the future of our republic. From using service members for immigration enforcement and floating the use of the Insurrection Act to recent reports of loyalty tests and the firing of high-ranking officers, the signals are clear: there is a real and present danger of the U.S. military being co-opted for partisan power. That’s not just troubling. It’s dangerous.

It’s why we need leaders like Sen. Susan Collins — and others across the political spectrum — to draw a firm, public line: the U.S. military must remain apolitical, professional and bound to the Constitution above all.

Our troops take an oath not to any one leader or party, but to the Constitution. As a veteran who has stood and sworn that oath multiple times, I understand the profound and unwavering commitment it represents. I’ve spent my career studying the roots of terrorism and how extremist groups exploit U.S. actions. I’ve seen the catastrophic consequences when we betray those principles. Our abuses at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo didn’t just damage our image, they became recruiting tools for violent extremist groups like ISIS.

It’s a solemn reminder that upholding the Constitution, even in our most difficult moments, is a moral obligation as much as it is a strategic imperative. This principle should always transcend partisan divides, and it’s a commitment we must renew today.

Sen. Collins has shown the courage to buck her party before — whether opposing the misuse of congressionally appropriated funds, challenging executive overreach or saying that Congress should name the heads of important legislative branch agencies.

As a veteran and constituent, I urge her to stay vigilant and continue asking the hard questions. Our democracy depends on congressional leaders willing to defend the values that underpin our national strength.

This is not a left or right issue. It is an American issue. The moment we begin to use our armed forces as a political weapon is the moment we begin to lose the republic our Founders fought to establish.

The Constitution is the bedrock of our national security, the shield that protects us from both foreign enemies and the temptation of authoritarianism at home. We can, and must, choose to uphold it.