WASHINGTON (AP) -- Last summer, gays in the military dared not admit their sexual orientation. This summer, the Pentagon will salute them, marking gay pride month just as it marks other celebrations honoring racial or ethnic groups.
Officials said Thursday that they're planning the first-ever event to recognize gay and lesbian troops. They declined to give details about what the event will be, but officials said Defense Secretary Leon Panetta feels it's important to recognize the service of gays in the armed forces.
June is gay pride month in the U.S. This is the first time the Pentagon could participate, since September's repeal of "don't ask, don't tell." Under the 1993 law, troops were kicked out for talking about their sexual orientation and more than 13,000 lost their jobs.
PENTAGON TO RECOGNIZE GAY TROOPS
It has been a whole generation since I retired (20 years is a generation - I retired in 1990).
I grant that the Army is a different Army than the one I experienced. Life is like that... things change... people change.... new leaders.... new policies.... new weapons... new ways to fight.... and so it goes. The Army is not unique in experiencing change. It is a fact of life. An Army that does not change is stagnant - it leads to failure on the battlefield. It is inevitable. Change or die and place national survival at risk.
However, the change in the policy with respect to one's life style and sexual preferences is something unique. I find it implausible to believe that much can be read into the idea of "acceptance" merely because of this policy. I am more inclined to think that the changes this policy gives rise to will be very subtle. Being subtle does not mean less meaningful.
For example, the policy change will allow commanders (I think) to make choices in terms of whether a soldier's behavior is consistent with the policy. To use one extreme example we cannot assume that open same-sex behavior in the barracks dorm or the foxhole will be tolerated. That behavior is (I am sure) still not condoned. It is the life style that is no longer "reason enough" to lead to court martial and/or elimination from the service. Behavior that is inconsistent with "good order and discipline" will still result in disciplinary action (non-judicial, court-martial, discharge).
These are complex issues and subject to a lot of misinterpretation. There is reason to applaud the change in policy. However, I think some caution is appropriate. To assume that a largely macho, testosterone-driven male-dominated profession will "accept" same-sex behaviors is a stretch... Same-sex lifestyles may be "tolerated" and commanders may now be able to make decisions with respect to the impact of a soldier's life style on the mission BUT that does not mean "acceptance." There is a difference.
I grant that I have been out of the service for a generation now. Armies throughout history are a reflection of the culture which created them. Our Army is a reflection of our culture (that applies to other services, as well). Changing a policy that applies only to those in uniform may portend some revolutionary new direction but it has not changed our culture.
Remember the ancient Greek Army (the movie named, I believe, "The 300")... those warriors found comfort in the company of other men as easily as they did when they were home with their women comforters. But, that was their culture... Our culture still does not "accept" that - the conclusion I arrive at is "an Army simply reflects the culture it serves" - therefore, changing a policy that affects only the military does NOT change the culture from which the military comes... I think it advisable to celebrate, but celebrate cautiously...
everysooften
west Michigan
Congratulations and a huge thank you to all the gays in the service of our great nation. We are better protected because you and your predecessors fought for the same rights as other military personnel. Our nation was a little late in recognizing this fact and in doing something about it, but the change has happened and let's hope gays are never shoved back in that suffocating closet.