Final answer:
Vegetius described the Roman military as under-funded and under-manned, leading to a cycle of defeat. Continuous conflicts and societal impact such as loss of life and property, coupled with a transition from citizen-soldiers to career soldiers loyal to generals, further weakened the military and Roman society.
Step-by-step explanation:
Vegetius identified several problems with the Roman military that contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire. The armies in the west were plagued by issues such as being under-funded, under-manned, and vulnerable, leading to a cycle of lost land, lost revenue, and deteriorating military performance. Despite the presence of effective emperors and generals, they could not stop the defeats that the Roman military faced.
Additionally, the Roman military was stretched thin by the need for continuous warfare to maintain economic supremacy. As the Republic became an Empire, the traditional system of citizen-soldiers faded, and the military increasingly comprised career soldiers loyal to individual generals rather than the state. Such transformations in military structure were critical issues and led to Rome being in a state of perpetual conflict, which took a toll not only on the military but on Roman society.
Problems also arose from the societal impact of such extended conflicts. Continuous warfare led to a significant burden of loss of life and property for many Romans. The ongoing conflicts disrupted markets and trade, leading to negative consequences such as famines and riots, with lower classes shouldering the brunt of these difficulties.