Quote:
Originally Posted by ASTalumna06
I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but I agree with DADT... at least when it comes to the Infantry MOS.
I have two cousins and a few friends who have served in the infantry, and have been on the front lines, and although they have no negative feelings toward homosexuals, they all say the same thing (which I happen to agree with) - sex, or even sexual feelings or distractions, have no place in war.
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ASTalumna06: You certainly have the right to express your opinion, however, almost the same argument was used to keep women (like myself) out of most military occupations (other than nursing) until the 1970's when a woman named Frontiero sued the U.S. Air Force. To a certain degree, the same type of argument was also used to support segregation by race when the armed forces were initially desegreated (the racial tensions would cause too many distractions).
As a reserve officer (full disclosure: not in a combat arms position), I can tell you that DADT is already basically dead. Most younger enlisted really don't care (which I think is a generational thing). Most senior officers see pursuing any sort of investigation (which now has to be started at the general officer level) to be a complete waste of time and effort, and a major distractor from operations.
The only folks who DO seem to care, from my observations are mostly male senior enlisted personnel and members of the chaplain corps. Many of these senior enlisted are also still not comfortable with female officers (...I could share some stories).
Again, full disclosure: I am not a lesbian. I can say I have worked in the military with a number of very good folks who I knew or strongly suspected were gay or lesbian, and many are outstanding sailors and marines. Have I seen some gay/lesbians get into trouble because of personal misconduct? Yes, but not nearly to the extent I have seen it with straight sailors/marines (particularly the scenario of young male officers with female enlisted).
Anyway, I will personally be glad to see DADT gone. I think it is discriminatory and I think our society has moved beyond the thinking that brought it (and the previous, more draconian, policy) into existance.