During the Civil War, doctors were mostly civilians who signed contracts to serve the Army by treating the wounded. Some were officers and eventually the Medical Corps was organized to deliver care. At times there are still contract surgeons (all military doctors are called “surgeons”)serving in the Army, especially since the doctor draft ended with the general draft. There is a huge number of lawyers currently serving in the military and it seems as though they are becoming increasingly obstructive in allowing the military to complete its mission.
Now, however, a Navy lawyer has essentially released a terrorist into the civilian population with his sentencing decision in the Hamdan case. He will be out in time to plan a bombing for New Years.