That may be the case, but from a distance it seems like the US has more of a martial / military obsession than most western countries. Soldiers seem to be treated like saints, the president referred to as "Commander in chief", generals become household names even in peace time, etc. It's way more pronounced than anywhere in the G7.

So it's not a surprise to me that people who speak up against the military are shunned; not just by that group, but by society at large, which venerates the armed forces.

The US owes most of it's economy, assets, innovations and global respect due to it's military, starting from the world wars. Worship of the military is entirely expected, and i might say it works out largely to the advantage of the country as a whole. Remember the US has little history on which to build a culture.

We have a similar case in The Netherlands ( a military whistleblower ), but I have given up on trying to combat this American Exceptionalism.

I do wonder why so many really want it to be an American thing.

It is not.

But it does have history that we can use: what are its consistencies over the past couple centuries? Genocides and decimations and coups of democratically-elected leaders. Stealing technology and basically every other transgression the US accuses of China. The nearly ritualistic abuse and/or murder of nonwhite residents (and otherwise) with regularity.

What achievements justify the crimes it commits? For how long can it claim youth as an excuse?

Ah, but the US also produces "The Bachelorette," and McDonald's, so it's really a wash.

You just described pretty much all of Europe, except for Switzerland, which just banked for the others.

Being a nation that acts on the world stage is a messy and fraught business.

The big difference between the US and elsewhere is the hypocrisy. To a greater degree than other societies, the US mythologizes the individual, and so the gap between myth and reality is even wider.

I would like it to be different. I would like the US to live up to its ideals and aspirations.

Concretely, I wish that Ian Fishback had received rewards commensurate with his service and contributions — at the very least a comfortable life.

Oh, when will American Exceptionalism finally die already?

In The Netherlands, our government even setup a 'Whistleblowers house / safehaven' to 'encourage' whistleblowers.

You still get treated like shit, be blackholed, unable to find work, your taxes scrutinized etc.

It is really a deep psychological thing : you acted against 'the group'. Whatever words are spoken or laws are enacted, this is what counts. Has nothing to do with the US.

> the US mythologizes the individual

Well, part of this mythology is that the true individual often takes the less-traveled harder road.

The sensible countermeasure would be making sure such group doesn't have the power to unilaterally ruin your life if you expose its corruption, or be immune from the consequences of such corruption.

The legal system is clearly not up to that task, and not only in USA.

Regrettably, improving the lot of whistleblowers may be difficult to achieve legislatively or legally — even if a majority of the citizenry approves, the institutions will resist. It may be that the best way to make a difference is through NGOs like https://whistlebloweraid.org/# since at least they don't have to play by the rules of the organization. The US military may not be able to muster proper rewards for someone like Ian Fishback, but it can't stop a charity from at least disbursing aid.