Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell guarantees unit cohesion

[Two weeks ago, our Viewpoint explained why we feel the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy should be repealed.  Here, one of our staff writers explains the policy’s benefits.]

The need for Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) is simple: There are a large number of whites with evangelical roots in the U.S. Infantry, and many evangelicals don’t look upon homosexuality favorably.

Unit cohesion is the most important principle you are taught in the infantry.  You eat, sleep and drink teamwork. 

Being accepted among your peers is vital to performing well in a combat unit.  Not being “one of the boys” can result in verbal and physical abuse.

Being an outcast would also be a detriment to physical training and combat readiness.  Since most instruction is done on a one-on-one basis, if you don’t have friends to help you out, you will fall behind and drag the entire unit down. 

If you can’t trust the man next to you, the machine that is the infantry breaks down.  Homosexuality would cause distrust and possibly violence in any combat unit.

President Clinton knew what he was doing when he signed DADT into law.  The president knew it gives gays and lesbians the right to serve in the armed forces, while at the same time continuing a strongly held position of the nation's top military commanders.

Before 1993 all military personnel could be questioned about their sexual orientation.  If you were gay or lesbian and told the truth, admission into the military was denied.  If found to be a homosexual while serving you would receive a dishonorable discharge, and possibly see time in a military prison.

Don't Ask Don't Tell is a flawed policy, but it is much better than earlier military practices.  Nobody can ask about a service member’s sexual orientation, and if found to be homosexual most will receive no worse than a general discharge.

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1 comments

Anonymous

Wed Apr 21 2010 17:42

Could there be a more sexist and bigoted commentary defending the DADT policy? The author talks about the need to be "one of the boys." News flash: The armed forces have been open up to women for decades now, including combat roles. The author also describes a need to protect the sensitivites of "whites with evangelical roots." The last time I checked our Constitution, people of every religion, race, and creed enjoyed rights in this country.

The fact is that the DADT policy destroys unit cohesion. Gay and lesbian servicemembers have to hide their private lives from their colleagues on the battlefield. DADT enforces an environment where lies and deception are the status quo -- sure ingredients to destroy unit cohesion. The "military family," which is heavily promoted within the Deparment of Defense through extensive programs and even paid benefits, neglects the families of gay and lesbian servicemembers. Spousal support groups don't acknowledge the sacrifices of same-sex partners -- they have to face long and arduous deployments alone without any support. It is a common occurrence for spouses to receive letters of appreciation from military commanders on the occasion of a servicemember's promotion or other recognition ceremony -- same-sex partners get no recognition. DADT serves to isolate, not unite, the members of our armed forces. There is no argument to be made otherwise, except for the racist, sexist, and bigoted arguments promoted quite clearly by Mr. Pintea.

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