[worker_person]

The ideal military size is such that we are strong enough that no one is willing to start WW3. The smaller the budget that achieves this the better. Too small and wars become more common.

WW1 we went home, and 20 years later things heated up. WW2 we stayed and it's been fairly peaceful since.

[wing-_-nuts]

Don't kid yourself. It's been peaceful in spite of us injecting ourselves into matters that are none of our concern. We could have achieved the same thing with a few dozen nukes. You don't see anyone lining up to invade North Korea any time soon.

[worker_person]

No one is willing to use nukes for smaller wars; so they are off the board. You need regular military for everything else.

[wing-_-nuts]

No, you're missing the point. You need a military to defend the homeland. That could be done with a few dozen nukes and the national guard. We do not involve ourselves in 'smaller wars' as we are no longer the world police.