In failing countries, the military often will step in via a coup to take control. Most of the times, it is the top officer class, the generals. Sometimes it will be high-ranking officers such as the colonels in Greece.(which precipitated the Cyprus crisis that ultimately ended the regime). Sometimes it can be junior officers, and sometimes it can be the NCOs (non-commissioned officers, the enlisted men).
What could happen in the U.S. is interesting. Recent public opinions and implorationsof a large number of top-ranking generals appear to indicate that they respect the U.S. Constitution (who all military make an oath of allegiance to rather than to any individual such as the President) and implore all ranks to do the same. No one has asked the opinion of the senior non-general officers or junior officers, or NCOs.
Is it entirely possible that different ranks will take different action if called to defend the constitution, or to partake in a coup or acts of repression. The consequences of such will be interesting.
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