Karl Eikenberry, former ambassador to Afghanistan and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General, argues that although successful, the American All-Volunteer Force has developed liabilities due to weak political oversight and internal accountability of its senior leadership. These liabilities ultimately weaken the insitution by making the U.S. military the go-to solution for foreign policy problems and insulating defense spending and preventing economically sustainable cuts to the military. Additionally, elilminating mandatory military service has also weakened American civic virtue by pushing civic responsiblities on others. All these liabilities warrant a critical look.