The Damage of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

Living in an area with a huge military personnel presence and knowing a number of honorable, competent and patriotic individuals who have been forced from the military under Don't Ask, Don't Tell ("DADT"), I see first hand the damage and waste of talent that results from the religious based discrimination embodied in DADT. In addition, I know many LGBT members of the military who continue to serve honorably, yet have to live their lives in secret and under the constant fear of discovery. Today's New York Times has a good editorial that looks at the damage done by DADT - all so that religious bigots and reactionary military officers can have their prejudices inflicted on others regardless of the damage done. The military can accept convicted felons, non-high school grads and gang members to meet recruiting goals, but not honorable gays. It is a very f*cked up picture. Here are some highlights:

*

By cementing homophobic military policy into law, Congress made a bad situation worse. It reached a so-called compromise by which homosexuals could serve — but only if they did not acknowledge their orientation or act on it. If they did, they could be discharged. About 12,500 service members have been forced out, including many with distinguished records or invaluable language and intelligence skills.

*

The author of the essay [in Joint Force Quarterly], Col. Om Prakash, effectively demolishes the primary, wrongheaded rationale for the law: that unit cohesion would be harmed if homosexuals served openly. Several other countries, including Australia, Canada, Israel and Britain, have lifted bans on homosexuals serving openly with no adverse effects on military performance or readiness.

*
Colonel Prakash argues that the law has undermined unit cohesion, in part by compromising the integrity of homosexuals who have to dissemble and by posing a moral quandary for commanders — look the other way or risk discharging a valuable service member. He judged the policy a “costly failure” because of the lost manpower and the administrative costs of recruiting and separating homosexuals. He urged the Obama administration to examine how to repeal the ban.

*

We agree strongly with Colonel Prakash, and urge the Pentagon to press ahead with changes in its regulations to make implementing the “don’t ask” law more humane. Ultimately, Congress must repeal the 1993 statute. We are not confident that the Senate has enough enlightened members to overcome a filibuster. But if the military can show an open mind, surely lawmakers can summon the courage to end this sad chapter in history.