Joint Forces Quarterly is one of the magazines you will find in most flag officer waiting rooms in and around the DC area. It is written and intended to be a publication for senior military officers and decision makers and its contents are reviewed and approved by the Chairman of JCS, ADM Mike Mullen before publication by The National Defense University at Ft. McNair. JFQ is quite simply the Pentagon’s top scholarly journal and sounding board for leading military thought and critical analysis. While reading the most recent issue (in a flag waiting room of all places) I came across an interesting article discussing the Clinton era “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy of allowing homosexuals to serve in the armed forces as long as they keep their sexuality a secret. The author, Air Force Colonel Om Prakash makes a powerful argument that the time is coming near for the military to revisit its policy on gays serving in the military, but he also points out that the only body with the power to make the change is Congress. Here is the current language of DADT.
I am of the belief that homosexuals are “born gay” and it’s not a choice they make in life (to be homosexual). I came to this decision years ago by rationalizing to myself “Why would anyone choose to be gay, to be despised by certain segments of society, to not be a full equal citizen?” My thoughts were somewhat echoed in the JFQ article:
“I wish I could decide who I fell in love with; if someone thinks I would consciously choose such a life where I am forced to live in hiding and fear, knowing the bulk of the population is against you, is just crazy. I can’t help who I am.” “Why would I choose to suffer like this?”
Another point that caught my attention was that homosexuals must compromise their integrity to serve under DADT. I joined the military out of a sense of honor, duty, and patriotism. It also didn’t hurt that it was a better job than the one I had at the time. But nevertheless, I was proud to serve my country and I did so with immense pride. The three core values my service cherished were Honor, Courage, and Commitment. Let’s look at the first, Honor:
Honor: “I will bear true faith and allegiance …” Accordingly, we will: Conduct ourselves in the highest ethical manner in all relationships with peers, superiors and subordinates; Be honest and truthful in our dealings with each other, and with those outside the Navy; Be willing to make honest recommendations and accept those of junior personnel; Encourage new ideas and deliver the bad news, even when it is unpopular; Abide by an uncompromising code of integrity, taking responsibility for our actions and keeping our word; Fulfill or exceed our legal and ethical responsibilities in our public and personal lives twenty-four hours a day. Illegal or improper behavior or even the appearance of such behavior will not be tolerated. We are accountable for our professional and personal behavior. We will be mindful of the privilege to serve our fellow Americans.
I highlighted several words and phrases for a purpose. How can a homosexual be honest and truthful if living a secret life in the closet? Also, if you have read the linked JFQ essay by Col. Prakash at the beginning of this post you will remember reading about the history of DADT, and that it was feared homosexuals serving openly might engage in risky behavior or drug use. I understand the law and rational behind DADT was the geniuses of Congress, and they have neither morals or integrity themselves. But to project their own shortcoming upon gay service members is silly and insulting. Military warriors, regardless of sexual orientation live by a code of integrity. It is the secret code of brothers (and sisters ) of arms. Without it there is no trust, no loyalty, no sacrifice for the betterment of your country. Patriots serve out of a sense of duty to their country and fellow man, and they expect the best out of each other and push each other toward that goal every day. Being gay doesn’t change the equation.
The law also forces unusual personal compromises wholly inconsistent with a core military value—integrity. Several homosexuals interviewed were in tears as they described the normous personal compromise in integrity they had been making, and the pain felt in serving in an organization they wholly believed in, yet that did not accept them.
I fully support lifting DADT, it serves no purpose in today’s military.
Sorry for the poor quality of this post, I wrote and posted this from my phone while sitting in a VW dealership getting my car fixed.
Further reading Joint Forces Quarterly
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