> I thought most of their military was just a byproduct of the military industrial complex and not actually needed for anything.

Except for upkeeping Bretton Woods, which you know is the accord that made US guarantee safe naval trade routes for everyone in the world.

But yeh, beyond that and perhaps upkeeping Pax Americana it is not really used or useful for anythings else.

Eventually when Pax Americana runs its course people are going to see what the US military was good for.