Don't Ask Don't Tell Not Issue Anymore

Occasionally, I have people ask me how I feel about the policy that was initially Don't ask, don't tell, which was put in effect by Bill Clinton in December, 1993. I tell them that I have knowingly served on the side of gay men and women and it did not affect my performance or theirs in any way. I have also had fellow soldiers in the military still make derogatory comments in reference to the repeal in 2010 to Don't Ask Don't Tell policy, this past couple of years, by President Barrack Obama.

The old policy, from former President Bill Clinton, would let gay and lesbian soldiers serve; however, they would not be able to serve openly and military personnel would not be able to discriminate against closeted homosexual or bisexual service members. The policy also stated, if members showed acts of homosexuality they would no longer be able to serve because it would create an unacceptable environment for morale and unit cohesion, which are key concepts of military readiness. I remember when I was in the active Army during the Clinton administration and thought this policy was absurd. We suspected some members being gay but it did not affect our unit cohesion in a negative way. Here is a training guide for homosexuality in 2001:

It basically stated that a reliable person could turn someone in if they saw a member engaging in a homosexual act. Also, it stated that if a reliable person heard a member say they were a homosexual or the member themselves came out, it would be grounds for discharge. They spoke as if a homosexual was an extraterrestrial being and was not a reliable person. It's absolutely amazing isn't it?

One of the things that I am proud to say of our current President is his repeal of DADT in 2010, and ultimately ended the DADT policy for good in July 2011. We are in the 21st century and to have such a law is really unjust. I mean, to discriminate a soldier on their sexual preference is wrong. I believe the majority of the soldiers present and future have no problem serving with homosexuals openly. It is not like homosexuals have not been serving until now. Furthermore, fellow service members may or may not suspect this but it hasn't affected any major changes in the past and thus will not change a thing in the future. President Obama said it best, "As of September 20, service members will no longer be forced to hide who they are in order to serve our country." After all, It is 2012 and if people do not agree then they need to get over it, and move on.



President Obama signing the Don't ask, don't tell Repeal Act of 2010.