No Opt-Out for Opponents of Gays in Military

While visiting troops in Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Gates made it clear that religious extremists and bigots in the U.S. military who have their panties in a major wad over the repeal of DADT will NOT have the option to opt out of the military and seek an early discharge. To do otherwise would send a dangerous signal that white supremacists, anti-Muslim and/or anti-Hispanic bigots, and others who discriminate against their fellow citizens should be entitled to special rights as well. As members of the U.S. military, service members are to defend and uphold the U.S. Constitution, including the Equal Protection Clause and the right to religious freedom of ALL citizens, not just the Bible beaters. Reuters has coverage on Gates' statements. Here are some highlights:
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Defense Secretary Robert Gates bluntly told Marines on Sunday that they won't be able to opt out of their enlistment just because they disagree with a government decision to end a ban on gays serving openly in the military.
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Gates, who is on a tour of Afghanistan to bid farewell to the troops before stepping down at the end of the month, was quizzed by a Marine sergeant about the controversial policy during a question and answer session at a base in southwestern Helmand Province.
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"We have not given the Marines a chance to decide whether they wish to continue serving under that. Is there going to be an option for those Marines that no longer wish to serve due to the fact their moral values have not changed?" he asked. "No," Gates responded. "You'll have to complete your ... enlistment just like everybody else."
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"The reality is that you don't all agree with each other on your politics, you don't agree with each other on your religion, you don't agree with each other on a lot of things," he added. "But you still serve together. And you work together. And you look out for each other. And that's all that matters."
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If we do this right, nothing will change," he said. "You will still have to abide by the same rules of behavior, the same discipline, the same respect for each other that has been the case through all the history of the Marine Corps."
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In some ways I suspect that some of the homophobes in the military are scared shitless not that gays will come on to them, but that gay service members may out perform them and thereby burst their egotistical bubbles. It's sad that some only feel good about themselves when they are looking down on someone else.