How many gay troops/airmen etc have you read being thrown out because of bad behavior ??? Boot camp-training anf you now serve your country,,,,,,,get over it
The ban on gays in combat has nothing to do with morality or individual capability, any more than the ban on women in combat (and no, the Israelis don’t have women in combat - military yes). Romance in combat is deadly - to the mission and to the individual. Men and women are easily segregated. Gays and straight, no so much. And segregating gays into their own unit does not help combat readiness anyway (whereas a Valkyrie corp would).
The point is…for those of you who say,”Just do your job…” gay people in the military have always done their job. They wish to KEEP their jobs; not be tossed out by some witch-hunting individuals who believe there is some sort of agenda or predatory action. Many are highly trained and their talents are wasted by the DADT rule if they are found out. I certainly wouldn’t tell for fear I’d find myself headfirst in some latrine and beaten by some rabid redneck who doth protest entirely too much..
Thirty year retiree here: Yes. No doubt as to your courage. And when you got HIV infected during that big farewell party; you now get to pass it on in a direct transfusion or two or three where there are no tests due to the exigencies of combat. It has not shown up on the AIDS test yet. Not enough time. However, quite a number will come up positive so that your imagined rights might be affirmed.
How many Marines had their lives saved over the decades by gay Corpsmen?
How many gay Corpsmen gave their lives trying to save those of Marines?
It happened.
The reason the repeal matters isn’t because gays will now run around telling everyone about their sex lives (not that straight servicemen would ever do that). It’s important because gays had to always worry that someone would find out and use it to blackmail them. Now that – the fear of blackmail by your colleagues – is bad for readiness and morale.
And the rape or romance thing? Please! Gays don’t want romances with straight guys. If they want a relationship, it would be with another gay.
The Duke 1 over 13 years ago
Why? Keep it to yourself!
Plods with ...™ over 13 years ago
And it’s gonna take a year to implement….plenty of time to repeal
celeconecca over 13 years ago
so what.
grapfhics over 13 years ago
Does it matter? Ever notice that most of the real heroes are modest and humble, not full of bravura that often masks fear.
Larry Miller Premium Member over 13 years ago
The comments are telling.
cleokaya over 13 years ago
Well, since you ask, I am happy-go-lucky!
Nighthawks Premium Member over 13 years ago
no, but I’m pretty and witty
Coyoty Premium Member over 13 years ago
Gays were banned because popular myth says gays will rape their fellow fellows when they have the opportunity. Gays are commonly considered predators.
Meanwhile, women in the military have nothing to fear from straight men.
stripfun over 13 years ago
How many gay troops/airmen etc have you read being thrown out because of bad behavior ??? Boot camp-training anf you now serve your country,,,,,,,get over it
cleokaya over 13 years ago
Straight men or women are always talking about their partner, those who are gay have been unable to say a thing.
stuart over 13 years ago
The ban on gays in combat has nothing to do with morality or individual capability, any more than the ban on women in combat (and no, the Israelis don’t have women in combat - military yes). Romance in combat is deadly - to the mission and to the individual. Men and women are easily segregated. Gays and straight, no so much. And segregating gays into their own unit does not help combat readiness anyway (whereas a Valkyrie corp would).
jpozenel over 13 years ago
@hanndy2: Actually, straight men in the military do talk openly about their wives and girlfriends.
Creniere over 13 years ago
The point is…for those of you who say,”Just do your job…” gay people in the military have always done their job. They wish to KEEP their jobs; not be tossed out by some witch-hunting individuals who believe there is some sort of agenda or predatory action. Many are highly trained and their talents are wasted by the DADT rule if they are found out. I certainly wouldn’t tell for fear I’d find myself headfirst in some latrine and beaten by some rabid redneck who doth protest entirely too much..
aldridgeg over 13 years ago
Thirty year retiree here: Yes. No doubt as to your courage. And when you got HIV infected during that big farewell party; you now get to pass it on in a direct transfusion or two or three where there are no tests due to the exigencies of combat. It has not shown up on the AIDS test yet. Not enough time. However, quite a number will come up positive so that your imagined rights might be affirmed.
dmanc33 over 13 years ago
Good post Creniere!!!
mrprongs over 13 years ago
Really doesn’t matter. Not like the gays are going to hit on their buddies now. They’re not priests.
CXA over 13 years ago
How many Marines had their lives saved over the decades by gay Corpsmen? How many gay Corpsmen gave their lives trying to save those of Marines? It happened.
cdward over 13 years ago
The reason the repeal matters isn’t because gays will now run around telling everyone about their sex lives (not that straight servicemen would ever do that). It’s important because gays had to always worry that someone would find out and use it to blackmail them. Now that – the fear of blackmail by your colleagues – is bad for readiness and morale. And the rape or romance thing? Please! Gays don’t want romances with straight guys. If they want a relationship, it would be with another gay.
stuart over 13 years ago
@cdward, it is not unwanted romance that is the problem. It is romance in combat. Your partner easily becomes more important than the mission.