A federal judge this week ordered the DoD to halt it's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. Admiral Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has already said he is personally supportive of allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the armed forces.
I support the equal treatment of all people, and if the pentagon determines it can integrate homosexuals into our armed forced without threatening national security, then I'm all for it.
(This is an update of a previous article)
My problem with the judge's ruling is twofold:
1) It forces the military's hand. Secretary Gates says he is working the issue, and we should take him at his word. He has asked for time to get it right, and for the sake of national security and the well-being of all troops, gay and straight, we should give it to him. We are fighting two wars and dealing with the personal problems that go along with it. Doing this in a slapdash manner could damage morale, impede our fighting ability, and end up harming the cause of the very people it hopes to help.
2) The constitutional rights argument is specious. The military discriminates against women, old people, the handicapped, drug users and convicted criminals. You surrender many rights when you put on a uniform, including the right to free speech, free assembly, and freedom from search and seizure. You go where they tell you to go and do what they tell you to do. You shut your pie hole when they tell you to, and you submit to random drug tests on demand.
A productive debate must be grounded in fact. Here is some perspective from a veteran. You may come away unconvinced, but at least you will see how the military is very different from civilian life.
If it's good enough for the JCS Chairman, It's good enough for me
I'm not a fan of gay sex, but what people do in the privacy of their own lives is none of my business. Also, I'm a veteran, and I've been in tight quarters with men and women out in the field, and if everybody keeps it professional there's no problem. BTW, here's combat vet Uncle Jimbo's opinion, and he's way tougher than me:
“If I am lying by the road bleeding, I don’t care if the medic coming to save me is gay. I just hope he is one of those buff gay guys who are always in the gym so he can throw me over his shoulder and get me out of there.”I agree with Uncle Jimbo, and many other vets do as well. The new generation serving now is even more tolerant, so I am not yet convinced that allowing gays to serve openly will be the calamity that some claim.
I didn't ask, they didn't tell...
I know Army and Navy vets who say that they were in units where it was an open secret that certain troops were gay. Nobody asked, nobody told, and everybody minded their own damned business. The closest I ever got to that was the rumor I heard that the Ramstein Dental Clinic was full of gay airmen. Other than having second thoughts about being put under for treatment, I didn't really care (Hey, I was young and sexy back then...)
The military is a fairly conservative place, but it's not the morally pristine environment some imagine it to be
It is full of people who cuss, smoke, drink too much, take advantage of others who drink too much, commit adultery, steal, and consume pornography. Libido-fueled swordfights and cat fights take place, and adding gays to the mix will merely increases the number of flashpoints.
The military is different. Here are some points to ponder as you hear this debate play out:
- Your private life is not always private. You can be prosecuted for adultery or even associating with the wrong people on your off-duty time.
- You can be severely punished for public behavior that would be shrugged off if you were a civilian, to include showing up to work late, dressing inappropriately and visiting places that are declared off-limits
- Morale and unit cohesion are very important. Lack of it can result in tragic mission failure and even death. This is an important motivator for people to team up despite different backgrounds and life outlooks
- Dress and grooming standards are strict, right down to how you paint your fingernails, how much and what type of jewelry may be worn, facial hair and grooming.
- In a combat AOR, dress codes are strict and unisex: Either you wear your uniform or you wear PT gear.
- In a combat AOR, PDA (Public Display of Affection) is verboten. Private display of affection is too. So basically, not only is consensual sex between a single man and single woman off limits, so is an innocent hand-holding date. Making an unwelcome pass at someone can result in harsh punishment.
These factors cut both ways
The US military has a critical mission, and distractions and controversies can result in tragic consequences. The US military is also a very disciplined organization that is adept at getting a diverse group of people to pull together and get the mission done.
* - If I support gay rights, why did I post that graphic? Because it's funny! I also can't help laughing at John Stewart when he's busting on conservatives...
