Military Gays Not A Hindrance, Study Says

4 Retired Military Officers Urge Congress To Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy

(AP)  Congress should repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy because the presence of gays in the military is unlikely to undermine the ability to fight and win, according to 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 state.

To support its contention, the panel points to the British and Israeli militaries, where it says gay people serve openly without hurting the effectiveness of combat operations.

Undermining unit cohesion was a determining factor when Congress passed the 1993 law, intended to keep the military from asking recruits their sexual orientation. In turn, service members can't say they are gay or bisexual, engage in homosexual activity or marry a member of the same sex.

The study was sponsored by the Michael D. Palm Center at the University of California at Santa Barbara, which said it picked the panel members to portray a bipartisan representation of the different service branches. According to its Web site, the Palm Center "is committed to keeping researchers, journalists and the general public informed of the latest developments in the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy debate."

Two of the officers have endorsed Democratic candidates since leaving the military - Army Lt. Gen. Robert Gard, who supports Barack Obama, and Marine Corps Gen. Hugh Aitken, who backed Clinton in 1996.

Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Minter Alexander, a Republican, was assigned in 1993 to a high-level panel established by the Defense Department to examine the issue of gays in the military. At one point, he signed an order that prohibited the military from asking a recruit's sexual orientation.

Alexander said at the time he was simply trying to carry out the president's orders and not take a position. But he now believes the law should be repealed because it assumes the existence of gays in the military is disruptive to units even though cultural attitudes are changing.

Further, the Defense Department and not Congress should be in charge of regulating sexual misconduct within the military, he said.

"Who else can better judge whether it's a threat to good order and discipline?" Alexander asked.

Navy Vice Adm. Jack Shanahan said he had no opinion on the issue when he joined the panel, having never confronted it in his 35-year military career. A self-described Republican who opposes the Bush administration's handling of the Iraq war, Shanahan said he was struck by the loss of personal integrity required by individuals to carry out "don't ask, don't tell."

"Everyone was living a big lie - the homosexuals were trying to hide their sexual orientation and the commanders were looking the other way because they didn't want to disrupt operations by trying to enforce the law," he said.

[dmhphils]

Actually it is amazing that young gay Americans choose to serve their country the way they are maligned.


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Posted by kansas1946 at 11:43 PM : Jul 08, 2008

Sheesh....give me a break.....homosexuality is a wayward behavior just like being a liar and a cheat or a thief.....it is wrong. That is the point. Thieves may serve in the military, but without honor, because once they are caught, they lose all honor. You people have things so twisted up, you can''t discern what right and wrong anymore. Bunch of B S, just like I said.

[kansas1946]

Homosexuality and soldiers are contradictory terms. This attitude with the libs is so twisted. Everyone screams, "hatred, hatred" if they say something IS WRONG. Bunch of BS


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Posted by noseonurface at 10:42 PM : Jul 08, 2008
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You are just showing your ignorance. Ask anyone in the military if there are *** serving honorably. Actually it is amazing that young gay Americans choose to serve their country the way they are maligned.

[dmhphils]

They are serving and have served honorably in every war in history. For your children to disrespect their service and their sacrifice shows that they weren''''t taught much by their parents.


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Posted by kansas1946 at 07:21 PM : Jul 08, 2008
Oh, what BS.

Homosexuality and soldiers are contradictory terms. This attitude with the libs is so twisted. Everyone screams, "hatred, hatred" if they say something IS WRONG. Bunch of BS

[kansas1946]

If g-a-y-s- are allowed to openly serve in the U.S. military, my sons and their friends have already decided to leave for good when their time is up. They do not want to be a part of any organization that condones AND SUPPORTS that kind of behavior. The said "let the children of g-a-y parents defend this country!!LOL..."



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Posted by edintex at 09:57 PM : Jul 07, 2008
+ report abuse
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I know you are proud to have raised such hateful children. Gay parent''s children are already serving in the military. There are thousands and thousands of gay men and women in the military. Always have been. They are serving and have served honorably in every war in history. For your children to disrespect their service and their sacrifice shows that they weren''t taught much by their parents.

[avigil2]

The immorality here is all of the bigotry. If you don''t like homosexuality, don''t engage in it. It''s been proven by other countries that one''s sexuality has nothing to do with one''s performance in the military. GET OVER IT ALREADY and let G A Y S serve if they want to. We really need to catch up to the rest of the world. Sheesh!

[xmanborg]

Hey Hwy71So

Are You in Kansas City ??????

[xmanborg]

Who Do you think was responsible in the first place for matching thoes Butch Boots with that Hot Multi Colored Camo outfits, green, brown, white, red and yellow and matching hats and making it all work. Somebody GAYE in the Military Fabric Lab who liked to attend Gaye Circuit Party''s. Like Black and Blue & Hotlanta River Raft Weekend.

They knew how to work it !

[reads_a_lot]

It is an issue mostly because of the "fundie" idiots.

[liberalme]

Why is this even an issue?

[reads_a_lot]

"hwy71so" embraces Neanderthal ideals

[jon2012-2009]

Why is the media so intent on forcing the military to accept this unwholesome behavior?

Its unacceptable. Do you people not realize the military is not about having sexual relations? Furthermore, how can you expect the military to responsibly serve when you force them to tear down the fabric of morality?

Posted by Hwy71So at 07:45 AM : Jul 08, 2008

Obviously, your opinion that homese*xuality is unwholesome isn''t shared in the many countries mentioned in the posts on this board where g@ys are allowed to serve openly in the military. The recourse of bigots is always to invoke their vision of morality which more and more people reject as being out of step with the times. Anyway, making war and winning it isn''t about morality so you''re just making trouble here.

[jon2012-2009]

Some people work and slave all their lives for a bit of recognition...for that one phrase that assures them that their life and their presence on earth really, truly means something...

''''Not A Hindrance'''' is such a label!
Posted by DaVicar2 at 08:26 AM : Jul 08, 2008

The issue is discrimination or bigotry. We can tolerate it, even accept it, when there is compelling justification. When none exists, it is a handicap that interferes with efficiency and a successful mission. Of course, there is also social justice but Republicans don''t care about that.

[patriot12436]

Barbara
They try to keep the ladies out of combat but sometimes thigs happen. My daughter saw combat in Iraq when their convoy was attacked more than once. She was properly trained and did her job. I am very proud of her. She is a soldier in every way and she is straight, but i don''t think a persons sexual orientation has anything to do with how they perform.

[patriot12436]

edintex
If you expect people to respect your choice, isn''t it also reasonable that you respect theirs. I am straight and have no desire to have a sexual relatioin with a guy, but i also respect those that do.

[patriot12436]

hwy71so
I thought hitler was dead ?

[vortex1011]

No surprise that this report comes out as the US military struggles to retain troops and recruits more troops
This is just to cover their fat ***** as they look to expand their recruit base by accepting ***

[acolton1]

Military *** Not A Hindrance.

Thats great who do you think is responsible for putting thoes black boots with that camo outfit and boot laces together and making it look so good.

[differnet]

The British military, the French military, the German military and most other NATO countries have gay and lesbian soldiers serving side-by-side with straight. They have no more and no less discipline problems than our military. Right now, our soldiers serve side-by-side with these same NATO personnel without any issues. Time has come to jetison this old prejudice.

[barbaram99]

The ladies want to serve and I could not believe it when they are sent into combat..It tells me they can out do a man. I don''t really care what a person does in their home. They shut their door as long as they are adults.

[cheetah-man7]

I find it very interesting to see how many guys here have such problems with their own masculinity. Any secure guy (or girl) would not care about anybody else''s sexuality issues. Those who speak out the loudest are generally the ones who have something to overcompensate for. Think about it!