I'm retired military and my conservative fellow retirees complain about "socialism" but when I tell them the US military is the largest socialistic program in the country you could see their head about to explode. They deny it and then I lay it on them with these examples:

1.The government, not the private sector, pays their salaries.
2. Military personnel are given an initial issue of clothing and a yearly clothing allowance to maintain, repair, replace their uniforms.
3. They're given a place to live. If they're single, they reside in the dorms unless they have enough rank to draw a housing allowance to live off-base. If married, they qualify for base housing and if that's not available they receive a housing allowance.
4. The military provides them with food. Single persons living in dorms are given a meal card for the base dining hall. If there isn't a base dining hall they're given a substance (food) allowance. Married personnel draw a subsistence allowance for themselves and their family.
5. All military members receive free healthcare. Those with family members pay less than $1,200 a year which is much lower than their civilian counterparts.
6. Military members and retirees can get "hops" on a space available basis on military aircraft at no charge.
7. Military personnel can groceries at the commissary saving about 25% and no state taxes.
8. They can purchase goods at the base exchange which, in most cases, range from being a bit more upscale than a Target store to that of a Macy's store. All purchases are free of state taxes.
9. The military retirement is one of the best plans in all of the US regardless of a person's rank or position they held. The government pays their retirement.
10. Once a retiree is on Medicare, they can enroll in Tricare-for-Life for about $200 a month eliminating the need for the phony Medicare Advantage plans.
11. Military members and the family members receive their prescriptions free at military pharmacies and pay a super low copay at not military pharmacies.

The reaction after I tell them these things is the old line that "Well, I earned those things." Fine, but everyone of them is still socialistic which is what they're complaining about. If they're really serious about not wanting socialism then they should decline everything I listed above. Their response is to low their voice, grumble inaudibly, and try to change the subject.

I love messing with them.

BTW, I'm not for total socialism but there are many good things socialism does that capitalism doesn't do well.