President Donald Trump often claims he's been better for the military and veterans than his predecessors.

While he has boosted the defense budget and given troops the largest pay raise in nearly a decade, he has also strirred controversy throughout his role as commander in chief.

From a foiled parade to stigmatizing comments about combat veterans, Trump has faced consistent criticism for his treatment of the troops.

President Donald Trump has often praised himself for how much he loves "his military."

From increasing the US defense budget to calling for a showy military parade to rival any other, Trump presents himself as a champion of the armed forces and veterans.

But his showmanship has sometimes irked the very group he aims to praise.

From his continued threats to use troops to build a border wall to his public spats with widely respected military heroes, here are 12 ways the president provoked controversy with the military and veterans in 2018.