It’s About Duty, Not Sexual Orientation

This past summer, a survey was sent to active-duty and reserve troops asking about “don’t ask, don’t tell.” The findings and recommendations, some 370 pages long, will be released next month. However, a few tidbits have been leaked. Namely, more than two-thirds of the respondents said repealing “don’t ask don’t tell,” would have a positive, mixed, or minimal effect. Another finding showed 40% of Marine Corps respondents expressed concern about lifting the ban on openly gay troops.
Can you imagine asking white and black troops if they would fight or even room together? Or, does racial integration decrease combat readiness? Obviously, this sounds ludicrous in this day and age. Why? Years ago, military leaders made a commitment to ensure that troops of different races would serve together. Period. They demanded change in the behavior of troops, and in most cases, attitudinal change toward racial integration followed.
A similar commitment must be made toward lesbians, gays, and bisexuals in the military. The attitudes of the troops are irrelevant. For example, military leaders should simply train new recruits to carry out their duty; not ask them about their personal preferences or prejudices. As we know, the armed services is perhaps the most diverse workforce in the U.S. They have a reputation of valuing difference, and putting difference in its proper perspective. Why shouldn’t this apply to one’s sexual orientation?