Hey jackass, without the US military, how long do you think it would be before Russia and China started make claims to Canada's natural resources? I would guess that you would have been speaking Russian you're entire life were it not for our troops.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutually_assured_destruction That is what would stop Russia or China from attacking a NATO country, not so much your troops. Justifying recent military operations / doctrine on the basis of deterrence seems like a somewhat confused opinion though.
Why do you act like the US military is serving the american people's interests? People get so defensive whenever the military is questioned. How much money are you seeing out of Iraq? That's right, nothing. You paid to have Iraq bombed, and now companies like Haliburton and oil companies are raking in the profits. The US military fights for corporations, it is paid for by the taxpayer. The world would be a better place without huge military budgets.
How about putting out troops along the southern borders of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas to defend our country from Illegal Immigrants, Drugs and Mexican Crime!!!!