‘Beginning the Conversation’
Does it strike you as odd that while you're on Capitol Hill this week discussing this law, an estimated 65,000 gay and lesbian service members will be serving their country on active duty or in the reserves?
Yes, and those numbers will be a part of the discussion, they will be brought out by the witnesses. Percentagewise, it's low, but it is significant in terms of the roles they play, the contribution they have been making. A lot of people are serving today without a lot of concern on the part of their fellow members of the military or their superior officers that there may be a problem. It begs the question: does this policy have merit? Should it remain the same, should it be tweaked, or should it be done away with?
What do you think personally?
I'm a signer on the bill. But before I signed on, I spent some time with commanders and other military people in San Diego. I asked them about it. I tried to get to the heart of the operational issues in terms of ability to do their job. And I didn't get anyone saying it was an issue.
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Member Comments
Posted By: hubble123 @ 11/16/2008 9:06:45 AM
Comment: I am an active duty Major in the US Army and the views I present here are my own and not in any way an official statement from the government. I'm currently serving as a unit adjutant. Previously, I spent 11 years in the combat arms, have deployed to Somalia, Bosnia, have served in both Korea and Germany, and have a pending deployment to Iraq.
With the pending presidential administration change in 2 months, it is likely the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy will be rexamined by policymakers. Critics of the policy contend it goes too far and is prejudicial in regards to who can serve in the military. In my experience, I think the policy is prudent and best serves the interests of both the military and the nation.
During my time in USAREC, we routinely had to disqualify individuals from enlistment for medical, educational, and legal reasons, dependency issues, and also had a restrictive policy regarding tattoos. Some may joke that the Army will accept anybody off of the street, but this is simply not true. Recruiters work long hours to find eligible men and women who desire to serve the nation. The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy simply eliminated one of several questions which was asked when screening applicants for eligibility.
Some critics of the policy contend the policy forces Soldiers to serve in an oppressive atmosphere. Just the opposite, the policy means "witchhunts" at unit level regarding personal, sexual preference are unauthorized. Soldiers are instead judged on their leadership, performance, and professionalism. Just as the US Constitution regards one's home as sacrosact, the policy takes this one step further in that one's sexual preference is not subject to scrutiny, unless a Soldier in word or deed blatantly violates the policy.
The Uniform Code of Military Justice already addresses improper relationships, including adultery, improper relationships with other service members, and relationships that are deemed detrimental to good order and discipline within the ranks. The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy means a Soldier enlisting in a VOLUNTEER must abide by the policy.
Does the policy prohibit who a Soldier can reside with, if they are authorized to live off post? No. Does the policy prohibit who a Soldier can list on their SGLI/DD 93 in regards to benefits? No. Does the policy respect an individual's right to privacy regarding their sexual preference? Yes. Does the policy prevent unwarranted unit level "witchhunts" regarding one's sexuality? Yes.
It is an understatement to say how politically and socially volatile this subject is in the United States. This policy allows the US military to stay out of the political fray and avoid unneccessary distractions while manning and training the Army for current and future operations.
Posted By: hubble123 @ 11/16/2008 9:06:22 AM
Comment: I am an active duty Major in the US Army and the views I present here are my own and not in any way an official statement from the government. I'm currently serving as a unit adjutant. Previously, I spent 11 years in the combat arms, have deployed to Somalia, Bosnia, have served in both Korea and Germany, and have a pending deployment to Iraq.
With the pending presidential administration change in less than 60 days, it is likely the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy will be rexamined by policymakers. Critics of the policy contend it goes too far and is prejudicial in regards to who can serve in the military. In my experience, I think the policy is prudent and best serves the interests of both the military and the nation.
During my time in USAREC, we routinely had to disqualify individuals from enlistment for medical, educational, and legal reasons, dependency issues, and also had a restrictive policy regarding tattoos. Some may joke that the Army will accept anybody off of the street, but this is simply not true. Recruiters work long hours to find eligible men and women who desire to serve the nation. The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy simply eliminated one of several questions which was asked when screening applicants for eligibility.
Some critics of the policy contend the policy forces Soldiers to serve in an oppressive atmosphere. Just the opposite, the policy means "witchhunts" at unit level regarding personal, sexual preference are unauthorized. Soldiers are instead judged on their leadership, performance, and professionalism. Just as the US Constitution regards one's home as sacrosact, the policy takes this one step further in that one's sexual preference is not subject to scrutiny, unless a Soldier in word or deed blatantly violates the policy.
The Uniform Code of Military Justice already addresses improper relationships, including adultery, improper relationships with other service members, and relationships that are deemed detrimental to good order and discipline within the ranks. The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy means a Soldier enlisting in a VOLUNTEER Army must abide by the policy.
Does the policy prohibit who a Soldier can reside with, if they are authorized to live off post? No. Does the policy prohibit who a Soldier can list on their SGLI/DD 93 in regards to benefits? No. Does the policy respect an individual's right to privacy regarding their sexual preference? Yes. Does the policy prevent unwarranted unit level "witchhunts" regarding one's sexuality? Yes.
It is an understatement to say how politically and socially volatile this subject is in the United States. This policy allows the US military to stay out of the political fray and avoid unneccessary distractions while manning and training the Army for current and future operations.
Posted By: joe 6pack @ 10/05/2008 6:12:20 PM
Comment: Thank you Democrats!!!!
VOTING FOR A DEMOCRAT IS GAY
DON'T BE GAY