Dadt - Does The Dod Really Not Understand??

[Liberal Crozier]

The United States Armed Forces work with many international organisations and multinational forces which include nations with openly-serving gays and lesbian soldiers, sailors and airmen/women. The known nations allow for chaplaincy-initiated marriages or civil union arrangements.

Several retired generals and admirals have "come out" in the USA after they retired from service. Why, in my opinion, is this issue not a matter of education and understanding, but of pure American political strategy.

A volunteer service allowed the right wing to remove the "draught resistor" element and the unknown dimension that undid the military adventure in Vietnam. This ensures a hard-core officer corps and a right-wing leaning enlisted soldier contingent. Most of your army is drawn from the minorities and from the Red States. It is an irony that the progeny of "Johnyn Reb" are the backbone of the American military.

Also, you have taken the civilian militia, the National Guard, land and air, and have made it the bleeding arm of the US Army.

Why don't LGBT activists in the USA on DADT not ally and partner with multinational partners who have openly-gay and lesbian military personnel and begin a dialogue where it must be sold....on the enlisted street....with those whose "unit cohesiveness" arguements are as porous as it was for the Aboriginal or African-descended soldiers ??????

[Nomtum]

Where you get it???

[Liberal Crozier]

Where you get it ?? Well, for example, Canadian Armed Forces are partners in Afghanistan. Belgium, Holland and Spain are NATO allies and serve together.

There are studies and other proofs that make the old arguements once used against black soldiers - clear that they are just racism, bigotry or homophobia wrapped in rhetoric.

Your top rate LGBT organisation - the Defence Fund - includes both officer and enlisted members who served honourably - including some general and flagship officers who graduated from either the USMA or the USNA ( I am sure also the USAFA ) .....as well as warrants, NCO's and enlisted men and women who served in prejudice and in silence in order to serve a country they love more than they love them.

[Mia14]

It's funny, but there are already gays in the military - something that many people overlook. If it was going to be a huge issue, then why didn't the military experience all this trouble with unit cohesion and such in 1993 when Bill Clinton signed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy and let closeted individuals in? Also, if gays can't control themselves in the showers and such, then why wasn't there a surge of homo-to-hetero sexual harrassment in the military in 1993?