I think it does lend some credibility when a person who is a veteran criticizes the US military and its actions, because they’re coming from a perspective of having experienced it first hand and can speak from that experience to make their criticism more pointed and effective.

I can see that side. However, doesn’t that make them stupider than someone who figured those things out without joining the military? If you have to experience things firsthand to gain the most obvious takeaways, you’re gonna be terrible at legislating, imo.