My Army friend, Master Sgt. Mike Preston, having served 22 years, has finally retired. The retirement process took seven months. Some of it was useful. For example, career soldiers may benefit from post-service job counseling. But oh, the bureaucratic hell Preston endured.

“Trying to get out, I went to three separate places,” Preston said. “Each place, someone said, ‘I can’t help you now. But mine will be the last signature you need.’”