Military gives Obama low approval marks

President Obama's struggle with public opinion is reflected deeply in one prominent segment of society: The military.

In a new Military Times survey of nearly 2,300 active-duty service members, only 15% approve of Obama's performance, way down from an already low rating of 35% in 2009.

The president's disapproval rating, meanwhile, has increased from 40% to 55% over the past five years.

The reasons include massive changes in military culture brought about by Obama, including an end to the "don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding gay service members, the vow to lift the ban on women in combat, and a crackdown on sexual assault and sexual harassment within the ranks.

Reports the Military Times:

"For Obama's supporters, the cultural changes he's overseeing are on a level with President Truman's 1948 order that desegregated the military and put it at the forefront of the national push for racial equality.

"But to his critics, his moves amount to heavy-handed social engineering that erode deep-seated traditions and potentially undermine good order and discipline."

The military tends to be a conservative institution, but Republicans don't fare very well in the survey either.

Again, from the Military Times:

"More than one-third of readers who responded to the Military Times Poll said that neither Democrats nor Republicans have been a strong advocate for the military, and 44% think both major political parties have become less supportive of military issues in recent years.

"Only 12% believe both parties have the armed forces' best interests at heart."