Congress is being urged to repeal the “don’ ask, don’t tell” policy because the presence of gays in the military is unlikely to undermine the effectiveness and cohesion of a fighting unit. This from a new study released by a California-based research center.
The study was conducted by four retired military officers, including the three-star Air Force lieutenant general who in early 1993 was tasked with implementing President Clinton's policy that the military stop questioning recruits on their sexual orientation.
"Evidence shows that allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly is unlikely to pose any significant risk to morale, good order, discipline or cohesion," the officers states.
Our experience at a four-year service academy plus a career building ships for the Navy while working in the DoD gives us some limited perspective on this matter and though we are in general concurrence with the conclusion of the study, we take issue with the specific recommendation towards dropping the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.
Aren’t this panel's findings proof that “don’t ask, don’t tell” was an effective way of expressing the broader point that “we don’t care what you do in your off-hours, just come ready to follow orders and work together with your shipmates every day?”
So what’s implied in dropping “don’t ask, don’t tell”…? “Ask…. Tell?” What’s the point of that? Does this mean now that a recruiting officer or a superior has the right to request (demand?) the sexual orientation of an individual and conversely that a sailor or recruit should be encouraged or even compelled to express his/her sexual orientation? Again, why? What is to be gained?
We thought the whole point of allowing gays to serve and yet effecting this “no pry” zone was one big, fat “We don’t care and thanks for respecting everyone’s privacy!” Seemed like a pretty good deal to us.
If we are missing the point or are completely off-base, please let us know. We particularly welcome the comments of those who served on active duty in our nation’s armed forces. Mr. Styles who served proudly in the Navy will be chiming-in with a guest post on this matter a little later.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
What's to be gained by asking.... or telling?
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5 comments:
Well put!
That's rather how I see it.
As to our military being so professional that who or what you sleep with not effecting the group...why do we have separate female berthings?
Foxfier,
Sexual conduct aboard ship was always treated differently than conduct ashore, so the berthing question is not relevant to the discussion, IMHO.
Second, the "don't ask, don't tell" policy was the de-facto policy of the armed forces before it was codified into law. Before the law took effect, the JAG instructors at the Senior Officers Justice Course basically told us senior officer wanna-be's that it was contrary to the Manual for Courts Martial to push for prosecution on any sexual related issue unless it affected the good order and discipline of our crew. They made it clear that "good order and discipline" was a high bar to clear, hence the low numbers of prosecutions.
The only two homosexual prosecutions I saw in my units involved sexual activity on board the vessel in one case and a matter in aggravation, to wit, unauthorized absence and theft, in the other. Both instances clearly met the "good order and discipline" standard and don't ask don't tell would not have changed the decision to bring charges.
Overall, I liked the law, because it took the guess work out of the decision to prosecute.
I did spend roughly half my term on shore.
I agree with your reasoning-- the problem being, the folks who dislike DADT are trying to social engineer.
They don't want to look at effects or utility, they want things to be "fair" and show that everyone is "equal." Thus, the angle on why have separate sleeping arrangements.
Thankyou Johnny Cochran!
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