Correction, the LAST thing you want is blowback. Which is what happens from occupation. Only politicians want standing militarys so they can help various corporations that bankrolled their campaign. Tyrants prefer armies to navies so:
The Congress shall have Power To ...provide and maintain a Navy....
ARTICLE I, SECTION 8, CLAUSE 13
When Christopher Columbus was on his conquest to steal all of India's gold, why did he venture via the unknown ocean instead of just taking the known path through the Middle East? Hmmmm