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What changes should be made to DoD policy on gays in the military?

None. The “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy works fine, and now is not the time to revisit it.
27% (1393 votes)
Some. The current policy offers too few protections for gay members of the Armed Forces who can be discharged or have their military careers ruined by retribution “outing.”
4% (188 votes)
Overhaul it. Gay military personnel who want to serve their country in uniform should not be discharged based on sexual preference, regardless who knows.
47% (2442 votes)
Reversal. Homosexuality, open or otherwise, disrupts order and negatively affects morale. They should be discharged.
20% (1035 votes)
None. Wait for a better time.
3% (145 votes)
Total votes: 5203

 

 

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Comments

I served with gays during the Vietnam Era and they worked just as hard as straight guys. They are just as patriotic as anyone and should be able to serve.

Submitted by Rick P : Feb 2, 2010 1:21pm

With the general lack of understanding about homosexuality, heterosexual service members may be nervous showering or sleeping in the same room as gay service members. This "nervousness" could lead to a drastic spike in "gay bashing" in the military. To avoid this, would there be separate quarters and showers for gay service members? Is that fair? I'm all for equal rights amongst humanity, but how would our military leaders resolve these issues?

Submitted by Corey J. Murray : Feb 2, 2010 6:16pm

"How would our military leaders resolve these issues?"

Here's how to handle it:

  • Find out who did the bashing.
  • Prosecute them to the fullest extent of military law.
  • Make an example of them to the rest of the troops.
  • Reiterate (for the morons who need repetition) that just like with any other minorities, bigotry and prejudice will NOT be tolerated.
  • See how easy that is?

    Submitted by amauck : Feb 18, 2010 6:11pm

    This is not the time to bring it up. The old saying is if not broke why try to fix it. Also what goes on behind closed doors, should stay there. Who really care's if the military has homosexual personal or not. Sex preference should not have anything to with your service in the military. It has taken female's along time to prove themselve's in the military and even back in the Roman days there has been homosexuals going to war. Just leave it has it is and do not try to change it.

    Submitted by amazingracetx : Feb 2, 2010 11:00pm

    It IS.

    Submitted by amauck : Feb 18, 2010 6:02pm

    Having spent 40 years with the Army I have seen the disruption that Homosexuality brings to the workplace. If Obama is so adamant about the subject he should let the Military Branches have an election to decide the outcome.YES/NO. Then do what the troops want and forget about it forever.

    Submitted by Hoehandle : Feb 4, 2010 4:54pm

    Why not make the change now? NOW is when we need trained personnel. NOW is when we need translators. NOW is when straight military personnel will have to just get the f*** over themselves and get back to work instead of worrying who might be looking at their weenie. How old are you people? "Mommy, he's looking at me!"

    GROW UP!

    There are already protections in place to insure that sexual harrassment doesn't occur, and plenty of recourse for ANYONE to seek help if they feel they are being abused. As for having a vote like one very disturbed individual has proposed, need I remind you that you're in the military? Do you vote when your Commander gives you an order to see if you'll actually obey or not? End DADT, let people serve openly, and if anyone has a problem with that, let them be court-martialed for not obeying military policy. PERIOD.

    Submitted by amauck : Feb 18, 2010 6:00pm

    I was in the Military when "don't ask/don't tell" was instituted. At the time, I thought it was a horrible idea. I didn't think that would ever work. I was wrong. It for the most part has worked well, with one exception. Since don't ask/don't tell has been instituted there have been thousands of men and women discharged because of their sexual orientation. I believe "don't ask/don't tell" should remain in tact, but put protections into the law for gay service members who are found out. They shouldn't be discharged. Remember, we have an all volunteer military. If a person is mentally and physically able to perform the duties and they volunteer to defend our great nation, we should be thankful for their service and not throw all of that away just because of their sexual orientation.

    Submitted by Mark-in-FL : Feb 4, 2010 5:20pm

    I served honorably as an enlisted member, an NCO, and then as an Officer. At the beginning of my 22 years of service, a DA-DT policy like was appropriate, considering the times, and the cohesiveness of the unit.

    I was serving when "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was initiated. It wasn't initiated at the request of those serving- it was done by politicians in Washington. A soldier's duty is to obey the policies established and the UCMJ passed by Congress.

    I retired five years ago. I can tell you that times HAVE changed. The policy now is ludicrous for our times. Today soldier's don't look at what sexual orientation another soldier has- they simply want to know if they can trust him/her. Making soldiers lie destroys that trust, and is more of a hinderance that a help.

    We MUST change "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and keep the soldiers we need on the battlefield.

    What is wrong with Legion Leaders? Times change. It doesn't bother most soldiers- it shouldn't bother you.

    Submitted by Jim_in_MI : Feb 4, 2010 6:18pm

    Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs:

    “It is my personal belief that allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would be the right thing to do. No matter how I look at this issue, I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens.“
    In uttering out loud what many in the military have come to believe in the 17 years since the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” compromise was forced on President Clinton by Congress, Admiral Mullen has fired a shot across the bow of members of congress, and fellow military officers who want discrimination against homosexuals to remain the law of the land.
    "At the end of the day, that IS what the debate is all about, ending discrimination. You either believe gays should be discriminated against, or you don’t. I happen to believe they should not be."

    Submitted by Jim_in_MI : Feb 4, 2010 6:24pm

    As an active Legion veteran, I believe it is time to review don't ask don't tell just as DOD has put forth as a go forward policy to solve some of the injustices involved in discharging gays in the military. This review should draw on the experiences of other military forces (Britain, Canada, etc.) who have taken steps to allow homosexuals to serve openly in the military. However, my one concern is that a more liberal military homosexual policy could then be used as a wedge by the civilian gay/transexual lobby to influence changes to the definiltion of marriage at the state or federal level different from man/woman.

    Submitted by tplattner : Feb 6, 2010 5:15pm

    Being a former Active Duty and Active Reserve member of the US Army, I enlisted before DADT. I remember the witch hunts; I was a loss to the Army because of it. I remember being treated as though I was worse than a terrorist. After serving without hesitation and without fear I was then reduced to the status if a criminal. The amount of fear and anguish that was forced upon me after serving so faithfully and honorably was nothing short of the Spanish inquisition. Serving again under DADT as an active reservist, I was then awarded many times for meritorious service and Achievement all the while keeping my status private knowing that I was living a lie. I gave a large part of my life to military service to protect the country that I love. How then am I rewarded, with having to lie to do so?
    Since the beginning of the military and birth of this nation, sexually diverse people have served with honor and distinction! (cont'd)

    Submitted by mdchuck61 : Feb 7, 2010 6:00pm

    They still gave their life protecting their country and protecting their fellow soldiers. Anyone who believes that the LGBT community is not still volunteering to serve their country is sadly unaware.
    Please stop this unbelievable ignorant policy now. Let our soldiers serve honestly, now and in the future.

    Submitted by mdchuck61 : Feb 7, 2010 6:02pm

    Thank you for your service.

    I understand how bigotry becomes institutionalized. That does not make it right but education, eventually, solves that problem.

    You were wronged. I'm sorry. That wrong can never be righted but we can move on to a new, enlightened, era. I realize that is little consolation.

    The Israeli military shows that all races, orientations and genders are every bit as patriotic as we white hetrosexual men.

    Submitted by Curly Surmudgeon : Mar 11, 2010 8:34pm

    Is this the best time to be reviewing this topic? Our country is going through many CHANGES. Obama says we need change, but at what costs? Our country is under going financial hardships, both personally and as whole. Change is inevitable and this topic will never go away, but in the not so distant future maybe it will be more accetable (one way or another).

    Submitted by dcbatz : Feb 13, 2010 3:09am

    Are they going to build seperate shower areas for them? How much is that going to cost? Why should someone who is gay get to enjoy looking at other naked people in the showers? If that is the case I should be able to shower with women and enjoy my self. Every one screams for equality today but do they really want to be equal? Equal pay, equal jobs, equal clubs/gyms, equal working enviroment. Everyone says how times have changed so lets have change. Save the goverment a lot of money and make men and women truly equal. One comunity shower one dorm, serve any place together. Serve on subs, ships, fight on the front lines together. Make all of the standards the same for every thing the pay is the same. Just because a man can't get pregnant he should be given the same time off that a woman gets when his wife / girlfriend has a child. Equality would be such a great thing for everyone.

    Submitted by Slamnnn : Feb 26, 2010 11:22am

    Why are we having this discussion. Western military history is rich with individuals who were openly homosexual. The Grecian Armies, the Roman Legions. ALL military strategists must cite Alexander the Great, King Leonidis and the 300, Julius Caesar. Not to mention the thousands of homosexuals who served in WWI & WWII, Korean Conflict, Vietnam War, Panama, Grenada, and Desert Sheild/Storm and the current war on terrorism. That you did not know about because to be gay in the military meant disgrace as well as dishonorable discharge. You say you know your buddy in the fox hole. But did you really know him?
    Who gives a crap if you are gay or not. Some of the most courageous war heros may have been in fact gay. They just couldn't admit it openly.

    Submitted by HM3cubzfan : Apr 3, 2010 11:28am