Military Opposed to Ending Don't Ask, Don't Tell

When President-Elect Obama attempts to make good on his campaign promise to put an end to the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, he may be fighting an uphill battle within the ranks of the military. A recent survey by Military Times magazine indicates that the majority of active-duty service members continue to support the policy and are opposed to Obama’s plan to end it.

In addition almost a quarter of the respondents said that a repeal of the policy would have a negative impact on their willingness to re-enlist or extend their service, or continue a military career after their current time was up. The vast majority, however, would continue to serve.

Elaine Donnelly, president of the Center for Military Readiness, stated on Fox News that lifting the ban would have disastrous results.

However The Palm Center, a University of California-based independent think tank takes issue with the survey’s methodology and with Donnelly’s interpretation of the results. A memo issued by the center references several additional bodies of research that show a greater acceptance of gays in the military than the survey in question. They also point out that the survey was not randomized, but opted in by readers of the magazine, who tend to be older and more conservative than the military population as a whole.

And finally they remind that regardless of the amount of vocal opposition prior to other countries lifting the ban, few if any consequences have actually materialized after the fact. Canada, the UK, France and other countries have experienced little if any resignations from servicemen after lifting the bans.

Do you think that the rank and file of the military would adjust to serving side by side with "out" gays and lesbians?

(Image courtesy of Getty)

Comments

[John73542]

I didn't know I was gay going into the military, but I certainly did when leaving it. I'd already put in close to 10 years when events happened that caused me to first question, then accept my being gay; i.e., realize the whole self-denial thing. I'd already decided on a military career by that time and had became close friends with 3 three other 'career' men. Of the four of us, one was discharged for being gay; the other three of us retired honorably. All this was before DADT; but in that era, it was all about don't tell unless you did want out. Over the years, there were were many hetero men who knew about one or some of us and some who 'suspected,' but to my knowledge none who knew cared and those we knew who suspected and would have told were avoided. I think the bigger fear of most gays then wasn't being outted in the military, but that outting getting back to their families. I suspect it'll be pretty much the same if/when gays are allowed to openly serve. I doubt the majority will 'come out' for their own personal reasons. I also suspect there'll be almost as many discharged on 'trumped up' charges by homophobes in the military as are discharged now for being gay -- at least for awhile: those commanders who don't care are already looking the other way; those who DO care will continue their hunts and discharges, but it'll at least be one more step towards equality.

John

[Tony]

I am in the military, and have never been asked about my feelings about DADT, nor have any of my coworkers. I always question where this information comes from. Recently I came out to my fellow servicemembers. Their concern wasn't for my job, but for my happiness and well being. They all want me to be happy, no matter whom it is with. As said before, they were hurt that I hadn't told them earlier. In the following months, we've become closer. I work in a specialized (not special forces) part of the military, that is very intense, and being honest with them has helped with completing more tasks, and accomplishing more mission readiness than before. They trust me, and I've trusted them with my career. I hope Obama does find the time, and resources, to end DADT.

[Kevin]

Contrary to a lot of those "older and more conservative" views, I think that the military's units will become stronger and more effective once this ridiculous policy has changed. It's impossible to leave your home life at home in the military, especially when you are deployed. You live together, you work together, you play together. I cannot lie to those around me about who I am on a daily basis and expect them trust me. For a true close-knit, cohesive unit I must know my fellow soldiers and they must know me.

From the day you enter the Army you have the Army Values drilled in to you. You must learn them and live them.

Loyalty: Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. constitution, the Army, and other soldiers. Be loyal to the nation and its heritage.

Duty: Fulfill your obligations.
Accept responsibility for your own actions and those entrusted to your care. Find opportunities to improve oneself for the good of the group.

Respect: Rely upon the golden rule.
How we consider others reflects upon each of us, both personally and as a professional organization.

Selfless Service: Put the welfare of the nation, the Army, and your subordinates before your own. Selfless service leads to organizational teamwork and encompasses discipline, self-control and faith in the system.

Honor: Live up to all the Army values.

Integrity: Do what is right, legally and morally. Be willing to do what is right even when no one is looking. It is our "moral compass" an inner voice.

Personal Courage: Our ability to face fear, danger, or adversity, both physical and moral courage.

Can somebody please explain to me how living in the closet and lying to those around me honors ANY of these Army Values?

[David]

I am currently serving in the military and going on 7 years. I have seen two Soldiers in my Brigade get done with, because someone felt they were gay. They told on them, they investigated and their life is done with the military. Don't ask, Don't Tell need to be supported more heavily and if they day would come where i did not have to hide who I am would be the best gift to my military career. I am tired of having to lie to my fellow infantryman about how was my weekend.

[Wyatt1969again]

Straight guys are fucking lame sometimes.

Military Straights are the worst.

Why - because the married ones want to fuck you as much as the gay ones.

I used to fly down to San Diego some time ago - go to military sex parties and guess what...

Half of them were either Straight or married to women.

Fuck the military.

Bunch a bitches.

[Sean Collins]

All I can say is that if it wasn't for a gay guy breaking the Nazi's enigma code the second world war would have had a had a different ending. (I know the Holywood version has straight Americans doing that job)
Reminds me of the report stating that the US military sacked a large number of its Arabic speaking interpreters because they were gay.

[Allen]

The USA needs to get its' head out of the gutter and realize that if other advanced countries Military's do not give a hoot what their soldier's orientation is & even let lovers serve in the same units!

I served late 70's - early 80's & seen a few gay guys go through termination & what for? To keep hiding the fact that sooner or later this countries Military & the old generals will give way to younger more accepting ones?

There are an estimated 10-20k USA GLBT Military personnel currently serving, some in the closet, but many more in the open saving this country and many others in saving their brothers & sisters in arms & more.

So this country needs to get a grip & realize the GLBT community is as equal, if not better than the non ones in the military for what they do: Serve proudly & place their lives on the line every day & night, just like the non GLBT community.
Go Figure!

[Jono]

Once again the USA is well behind other nations in the world that have allowed openly queer men and women to serve in the military for years, and in some cases decades (Britian, Canada, Israel, Italy, France, Australia). It has not affected unit cohesion with these countries so why would it with the USA forces? Are the military commanders saying the servicemembers of the USA are too childish and unprofesional to handle working with openly queer people? I would find that incredibly "unAmerican".

[Jono]

Wallace - you do realize that most (95%) pedophiles identify as heterosexual right? And that there's a HUGE difference between being attracted to your own gender and being attracted to kids right?
What am I talking about given the intelligence to you demonstrated in your post of course you wouldn't understand this.

[corrective_unconscious]

wallace is a deranged, closet case, talibangelical who frequents all these threads as some insane way to deflect his own bigotry and self hatred.