I doubt that many of us veterans had high expectations for the candidates’ forum on national security on Wednesday. Our country has essentially been at war now for 15 years, yet fewer of our would-be leaders have real ties to the military.

But, in the crowd of veterans at the forum, I, and those around me, were startled more than once by Donald J. Trump’s lack of understanding of how his comments would be heard by us. In his allotted 30 minutes, he made several statements that reflected a lack of knowledge of how the military works, or appeared to argue for action that would be a violation of the armed services’ values.

I was a member of the class of 1980 at West Point — the first class that admitted women — and I served in the Army for five years. Since then, my work and life have been connected to the military. In the 1990s I worked on the failed campaign to end the ban on service by gay Americans, and a decade later I worked to get the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy repealed. I have stayed close to West Point and mentored cadets and staff.

Now, I am seeking local office as a Democrat in New Jersey. I am not among the 55 percent of current or former members of the military who support Mr. Trump’s candidacy. But I went to the forum with an open mind, interested to hear how Mr. Trump would speak directly to his military supporters, and to see his grasp of the issues that affect us all.