Senate PASSES repeal of DADT

[amanda6035]

^^ I agree. I just hope the military actually punishes those people who deserve to be punished.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by amanda6035

^^ I agree. I just hope the military actually punishes those people who deserve to be punished.

I'm fairly confident they will. Maybe not for harassment, which has been a pretty consistent problem, but definitely for physical violence. Ultimately I don't think the command structure will tolerate someone who attacks another soldier for orientation anymore than they will for attacking someone based on race. Particularly since the command structure is as on board with this as the the combat troops are if not more so.

Now, if they could handle sexual assaults better, I'd be ready to stop complaining about them entirely.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I'm fairly confident they will. Maybe not for harassment, which has been a pretty consistent problem, but definitely for physical violence. Ultimately I don't think the command structure will tolerate someone who attacks another soldier for orientation anymore than they will for attacking someone based on race. Particularly since the command structure is as on board with this as the the combat troops are if not more so.

Now, if they could handle sexual assaults better, I'd be ready to stop complaining about them entirely.

I think you're getting the poll results confused. Around 60% of combat troops believe that the repeal of DADT would hurt troop morale and hinder operations. The support troops ( medical, services, logistics, civil engineering, communications) are the ones who think that the repeal would have little to no repercussions.

ETA- I wouldn't necessarily say that the "Command Structure" is on board with this. Yeah, Gates and the Joint Chiefs may be on board but for the average troop the only chain of command that really matters/affects them is their own unit/brigade/squadron/wing Commander who could be a total homophobe.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

I think you're getting the poll results confused. Around 60% of combat troops believe that the repeal of DADT would hurt troop morale and hinder operations. The support troops ( medical, services, logistics, civil engineering, communications) are the ones who think that the repeal would have little to no repercussions.

That number ranges from 40-60% of "Marine corps and various combat specialties" troops depending on what branch you're talking about so only quoting the high number, which is from the Marines I believe, is misleading. But reread again, I said the command staff is at least as on board with it as the combat troops, if not more so.

And they are more so. If individual commander A is a complete homophobe, he better follow the orders of his superior who isn't. Seriously how is this different from racially integrating the military. If they'd taken a poll then what kind of answer do you think they would have gotten? And it was incredibly successful, even if sometimes an individual is a complete racist.

Although if you want the details here's the complete report:
266 pages, pdf

But that doesn't change the fact that if any member of our military cannot follow orders - for any reason really but particularly- because the thought of a gay service member existing in his unit so enrages her or scares him, they shouldn't be serving.