Editorial: Military not ready to change ‘don’t ask’

[leobold1]

Military not ready to change ‘don’t ask’ - Military Community, Marine Corps Community, military installations, discussions, blogs, photos, videos - Marine Corps Times

What does sexuality have to do with one’s ability to do one’s job? I suppose nothing if that person and those around him are professionals. I believe that is what retired Gen. Shalikashvili had in mind in the article Air Force Times printed in the Jan. 15 issue [“Former JCS chairman: It’s time to give ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy another look”].

The Army and Marine Corps do need more personnel, and by changing the standards to allow homosexuals back in or to join in the first place, the military could, in fact, grow larger in numbers. Many homosexuals are stellar athletes and very capable of doing their job.

When the don’t ask, don’t tell policy was initiated, nothing really changed. Article 125 was still in effect: “Any person … found guilty of sodomy shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”

Do we now change the Uniform Code of Military Justice so sodomy is no longer viewed as a crime, but instead an accepted act between two consenting adults? After all, doesn’t the Declaration of Independence mention something about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? I suppose if that is to be, then the Defense Department must also remove adultery from the list of crimes since it is committed between consenting adults; isn’t that something that falls into the category of the above statement?

What about berthing arrangements? As it stands now, a homosexual can be in the same berthing with those he finds attractive. But isn’t that the same as allowing men and women to sleep in the same quarters? As long as a heterosexual man doesn’t infringe on a woman’s person while sleeping, he hasn’t broken any law, right?

But what if we do have separate rooms by sexual persuasion? If a new policy reads that the military expects its members to be professional in regard to sleeping quarters and assumes that will be enough to prevent fraternizing in homosexual rooms, I fear the plan will fail.

That is the bottom line once you think it through. To allow openly homosexual men and women to be in the military, we must break down all sexual segregation for it to work. However, I am quite convinced that the Defense Department will not allow men and women to shower together and sleep in the same compartments as a matter of course; therefore, why should we be asked to sleep in the same room with openly homosexual service personnel?

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Bobby Powell (ret.)

Highlands Ranch, Colo.