Don't ask, Don't tell

[Catherinedana]

To quote a tanker, you're in the field for weeks on end with four guys in a small space, how would you like it if you thought the loader who's staring at the TC's butt for weeks on end was checkin you out? Ain't gonna deal with that, bro.

Then the problem is here. . .and it's a matter of prejudice and wrong-thinking, caused by some irrational fear? Who knows. Does everyone out there who is not gay really believe that a gay man has no control over his sexual urges? In a word, ridiculous.

[Lady's Human]

It may be ridiculous to you, but there are many, many things in the military a civilian would find ridiculous.

[Catherinedana]

It may be ridiculous to you, but there are many, many things in the military a civilian would find ridiculous.

I am absolutely clueless regarding military life and responsibilities so I guess I can only speak from my own civilian and very liberal up-bringing. Guess that's why it doesn't make sense to me. Perhaps having such a diversity of people in my life has made me immune to some of the differences? I just can't think in that direction. . . and sometimes it is very hard for me to hear others speak negatively about people because of beliefs or orientations or making sweeping, all-inclusive statements like the one I quoted previously. ?Sometimes I forget that my experience is not everyone's experience. My bad, as they say.

[Puckstop31]

I am absolutely clueless regarding military life and responsibilities so I guess I can only speak from my own civilian and very liberal up-bringing. Guess that's why it doesn't make sense to me. Perhaps having such a diversity of people in my life has made me immune to some of the differences? I just can't think in that direction. . . and sometimes it is very hard for me to hear others speak negatively about people because of beliefs or orientations or making sweeping, all-inclusive statements like the one I quoted previously. ?Sometimes I forget that my experience is not everyone's experience. My bad, as they say.

Well, you might not understand why things like LH said are true. But those things in the military that civilians would never understand, happen for a REASON.

[Puckstop31]

Then the problem is here. . .and it's a matter of prejudice and wrong-thinking, caused by some irrational fear? Who knows. Does everyone out there who is not gay really believe that a gay man has no control over his sexual urges? In a word, ridiculous.

To answer this and all the similar comments....

It doesn't matter if it's 'irrational'. All that matters is that it WILL happen. There is simply no way to explain what it means to be part of a team on the pointy end of the spear unless you have been there. ANYthing that takes focus off the mission is a hazard. Are there other things, not related in any way to DADT that cause lack of focus? Sure. Is it a good idea to add another in one fell swoop? Probably not.

LH mentioned a story about a tanker.... I was an armor crewman (tanker) most of my military career. LH is right. There is little like the need to act as one as there is in a tank crew. The crew needs to act in harmony to get the job done. Personally, I would have no problem with a open homosexual on my crew, as long as he was just another guy in the crew. If they want to shove their sexuality around, problem. But that's just me. I worked with other, otherwise OUTSTANDING soldiers, who would have a huge issue with having gay crewmembers.


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Like I said in my original couple of posts... In the long term, this is probably a good thing as long as it is implemented slowly and on the forces terms. Because, as has been said, this has ZERO to do with the physical or mental ability of homosexuals to perform the job. Its about what it does to team dynamics.