A lot of people have asked me (as the token Army guy) what I think about Don't Ask Don't Tell. Without giving a concrete answer to this which might spoil any thought provoking commentary, I can see why both sides of the argument work. For getting rid of DADT, it is prejudicial and prevents the military from tapping into a huge resource pool of quality recruits. One of my best friends from West Point, who would have been a phenomenal officer, was discharged under this policy and it was simply a waste of talent. On the keeping it side, you have to realize where the main recruits for the Army are coming from - they're 18 year old kids with different backgrounds than you and I have. These sort of people may not have been exposed to the variety of folks that we have and without judging their views, may have a different thoughts on homosexuality than we have. Add this problem in with the close quarters and other issues that the Army presents (sharing sleeping bags for warmth in Ranger School, open gang-style showers after pt, the macho factor etc.), some people may not feel comfortable working with homosexuals, and this can lead to problems.
Either way, one of my classmates (who is also doing a MPP program right now) posted this article and I found it very interesting. It puts a human face on the policy, and while the author is coming from one side, remember that whether or not you agree with DADT, the side advocating to keep the policy makes valid points as well. So enjoy the article and make your own judgment call. If you're really interested in my opinion, we can talk offline.
http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/13/dont-ask-dont-tell-dont-be-all-you-can-be/
-Matt
Thanks for posting Matt. I would love to get a small group together over coffee and discuss more, for sure.
ReplyDeleteI, too, have friends in the military that fall on both sides of the debate. Of course, there's a lot that's missing from your characterization. Top brass including Sec. Gates, Chairman Mullen and Gen. Petraeus all support the repeal, it enjoys popular support in this country and it's the only law in the country that allows for dismissal from one's job based on an inherent trait. The reasons you laid out for those who support DADT, though I know are not your own, harken back to the days when the military didn't want women included or racial minorities. Regardless of if the majority of recruits are "from different backgrounds of our own", they're discriminating and not right.
With DADT now dismissed in federal court and most certainly coming back to the floor in congress after the election break - the issue is only going to gain traction in the public sphere. It would be great to hear other's perspectives.