What?

Surely the best way to support them is to make sure that they are used wisely.

I guess, if you're quoting this article, that at least you agree that they're being used.

Furthermore, I'd like to expound on the idea that our 'troops' keep our country safe.

If the U.S. were under direct threat, the people of the U.S. would mobilize like they did during WW2. 'Normal' people would become soldiers and defend the country. They would probably be twice the soldier of most of the enlisted men/women today, because they would actually have a good reason for becoming a soldier, besides unfounded patriotism, or 'my only other option'.