Posted on 11/11/2010 12:43:58 AM PST by RC Clayton
WASHINGTON -- Following a survey of U.S. troops and their families, a Pentagon study group has concluded the military can lift the ban on gays serving openly in uniform with only minimal and isolated incidents of risk to the current war efforts, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.
The newspaper quoted two people familiar with a draft of the study, which is to be completed for Defense Secretary Robert Gates by Dec. 1., but with an uncertain public release date.
More than 70 percent of respondents to a survey sent to active-duty and reserve troops over the summer said the effect of repealing the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays and lesbians in uniform would be positive, mixed or nonexistent, the sources told the newspaper.
The newspaper said the survey results have led the report's authors to conclude that objections to openly gay colleagues would drop once troops were able to live and serve alongside them.
The long, detailed and nuanced report will almost certainly be used by opponents and supporters of repeal legislation to bolster their positions in what is likely to be a heated and partisan congressional debate. And it is expected to reveal challenges the services could face in overturning the long-held policy, including overcoming fierce opposition in some parts of the force -- primarily in the Army and Marine Corps -- even if they represent a minority.
The Marine Corps commandant, Gen. James Amos, last week said that with forces fighting in Afghanistan and still deployed in Iraq, now was the wrong time to lift the ban.
"This is not a social thing. This is combat effectiveness," Amos said.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Wow. 70 percent. I am on active duty and would not have guessed that 70 percent would not have a problem with it. I would have believed 50-50 but 70-30 is surprising. Most folks under 30 voted “don't care”. most folks over 35 probably put “had a problem”. The thing with the military is that under 30 far surpasses the over 35. I am 41 by the way and am over the 35 year grouping but there is just not enough of us anymore.
I see the same thing among the civilian population. Most young people today are just not bothered by homosexuality. It’s pretty much a non issue to them.
Wonder why so many of the top command is retiring?
Won’t really know until it is repealed. I do wonder just how many early retirements and resignations will occur. May not really understand the consequences for several months...
Actions have consequences...
This was self selected; I wonder how many did not want to be seen as sticking their necks out against a possible political juggernaut.
One obvious issue, which has had next to nothing said about it, is that unless something ELSE takes the place of the old DADT military codes, the practice will fall back on the old NO gays policy. Now exactly what is this something ELSE going to be? It’s getting discussed even less than Obamacare was prior to it getting voted upon us by the Rat gang.
Maybe current straight enlistees care little about homosexuality in the abstract, but they are going to care a lot about getting propositioned. Just the sexual harassment shakeout from this is going to be immense.
Leave the military alone! It’s the one sector of the federal government which functions and serves a crucial
purpose to protect our country. Liberals have always loathed the military and have sought amny ways to destroy
this institution. Why? Because it’s the last stalwart of conservatism in the governmet.
Let’s see what Zer0 has done for the military; slash it’s budget, scuttle missile defense, put women on submarines
and force homos into this institution.
I don’t believe that this leftist creep cares about the integrity of our military. As with all government actions homos will be given extralegal rights.
Sounds like we are on the Eve of Destruction.
Exactly.
Only 30 percent returned their surveys, so the numbers are more like 91 percent don't care, 9 percent have a problem.
Ending DADT is an invitation to the Gay Mafia to invade openly and destroy the fabric of our military. Believe me, they'll do it.
The economy being what it is there is no chance of a mass resignation so they will exploit this fact.
For shame.
When the ban is lifted (not sure there is an IF anymore), the MSM will immediately say: “See, the sky didn’t fall”. But, like most liberal policies, the consequences will unfold over years, even decades. Wait till the gays get emboldened and start flamboyantly flaunting their lifestyle in base quarters or even on duty. Or when straight military members get dragged into the Social Actions Office for not being “sensitive” enough. Commanders who want to keep their jobs will be cowed into looking the other way. Give it time, it will happen. You will lose many religious or moral members who are the backbone of the force. By the time the effects become apparent, it will be too late.
What you say is true. I work with a young National Guardsman, currently serving in Afghanistan. Before he left I asked him about this issue; would it bother him if one of his fellow soldiers with him in Afghanistan was gay. He said he really didn’t care. I know, only 1 soldier but I think it speaks for his generation.
Thank you for your Service, Sir. I spent nearly 8 yrs as an Army Medic. I agree implicitly with the work done by Retired USMC Col.Ronald D.Ray,First Principles Press, 1992- Military
Necessity and Homosexuality. And with Maj.Melissa Wells-Petry
Exclusion:Homosexuals and the Right to Serve— and with what Mr.Black said of Pentagon studies in the years leading to DADT. The problem remains as it was when I served on Active Duty. The problem is after normal duty hours. In the Barracks
and other off duty places.Where those identified by their
aberrant sexual orientation decide the Law will not affect but protect them.A truth those who claim they have no problem with homosexuals serving openly will one day find out as they sleep.
It was anon issue to me until I was on my first authorized
weekend pass and was taken into San Antonio by a hyphenated
American( MEXICAN-american; alcoholic- sexual-predator -male.)
Civil-Servant? who LIED to me- Drugged me without my knowledge or consent-took me where I did not want nor ask to go—raped and repeatedly sodomized me until the drugs began to wear off.
Told me I should be a male prostitute.He had enjoyed himself,and I had prostituted my self when I enlisted -eh?
I ran that night. I will never run again. I bled form my anus
for eight days, I lied to Army surgeons who repaired the
damage he had done to me that night. I chose nearly twenty years of self induced drug and alochol abuse to avoid reacting with violence when some ignorant individual violated my body by their unwanted and defiling touch.
A lesson some of those who have not problem will discover to their own horror and pain.
Not to forget the medical costs of what they do. Depressive
related incidents and even suicide will /are increasing—
the drug abuse incidence and alcoholism— the HIV /Aids costs.
All will increase exponentially with change in the law -and policy.
Of course that is what will happen.
Libs NEVER think of the consequences!
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