The United States is not a free country because the military is keeping us safe. The United States is a free country because we have a system that is intended to keep the citizenry safe FROM the military taking control of the executive and other branches of government.

The US is a free country because we have a system where we change leaders every 4-8 years, without the military seizing control of the process.

You are one dumb idiot if you believe democratic freedom is protected by the military. The lawyers, maybe. But the military? NO.