US Defense Department advocates allowing open homosexuals in military
December 01, 2010
Free eBook:
|
| Free eBook: Thinking like a Catholic |
The US Defense Department has released a study claiming to show that the admission of openly homosexual troops to the armed forces would not have a substantial negative effect on military morale.
The report called for repeal of the current US military policy—popularly known as “don’t ask don’t tell”—which bars openly homosexual soldiers. The Pentagon report concedes that allowing homosexuals into the armed forces may cause “some limited and isolated disruption to unit cohesion and retention,” but argues that the long-term effects would be positive.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates welcomed the report and told Congress that repeal of the current policy is a “matter of urgency.” The Obama administration has consistently endorsed repeal of “don’t ask don’t tell.”
Elaine Donnelly of the Center for Military Readiness, who has helped coordinate opposition to the admission of avowed homosexuals, said that the Pentagon report offered no compelling reason for a change in policy. She said that it is “unsettling” to watch military leaders “devoting so many hours this week to well-orchestrated but superficial media events designed to deliver on President Obama’s political campaign promises.”
Donnelly called attention to statistics in the Pentagon report that showed a widespread concern among active-duty military personnel about the implications of repeal: “Nearly 60% of respondents in the Marine Corps and in Army combat arms said they believed there would be a negative impact on their unit’s effectiveness in this context; among Marine combat arms the number was 67%.”
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: Defender -
Dec. 02, 2010 2:41 AM ET USA
Of course Gates never saw combat in Vietnam and, frankly, being in combat or a combat environment is quite different in the Army and Marines than in the other services. Engaging in homosexual conduct, and adultery for that matter, are offenses of the Uniform Code of Military Justice of all the armed services and are necessary for the "good order and discipline".
-
Posted by: Chestertonian -
Dec. 01, 2010 7:07 PM ET USA
How blind can they be? The Pfc who leaked all the damaging documents to WikiLeaks is gay. If the military believes that the psychological state of homosexuals is balanced and normal, they're in for an unpleasant surprise, that "openness" isn't going to fix. So the poll of active-duty military showed most don't object--that's because DADT was in place. Remove it, and the poll results will no doubt change. The APA needs to be honest and reinstate homosexuality as a disorder.
