The US Marine Corps and Opinions on Homosexuality

The text of the briefs given to US servicemembers on the repeal of the policy known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is publicly available. Notably, it starts out with this phrase:

This brief is NOT an attempt to change anyone’s opinion about the subject of homosexuality. [emphasis original]

Later, the presentation says this:

There Is No Expectation To Change Religious or Moral Views: Soldiers will not be expected to change their personal views and religious beliefs. They must, however, continue to treat all Soldiers with dignity and respect. [formatting original]

With that in mind, the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, SgtMaj Michael Barrett, toured bases in the Pacific with the Commandant of the Marine Corps General James Amos in June. Addressing DADT Read more

DADT: Obama Certifies Repeal, Critiques, and Questions

Below:

  • President Obama has certified appeal; September 20th marks DADT end
  • ADF “stands ready to defend” servicemembers with faith, service conflict
  • Pakistan protests US support for homosexuals, even with DADT repealed
  • Washington Times notes “smoking gun,” Executive Branch misled Congress
  • Mixon says military “not ready” for DADT repeal, critics silenced
  • US military now used to “attack” Defense of Marriage Act
  • Multiple-marriage group seeks same respect as homosexuals

Read more

Letter Suggests USAFA Dorm Tension after DADT Repeal

A letter to the editor at the Colorado Springs Gazette, the paper local to the US Air Force Academy, proposed an interesting conundrum following the repeal of the policy best known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell:”

…Let’s consider the dilemma the Air Force Academy faces in assigning roommates now that homosexuals can serve openly. If everyone’s values and beliefs are considered, as they should be, they will need to consider the heterosexual’s values, too.

Roommates with conflicting sexual preferences will encounter unhealthy and unfair sexual tension. If two homosexuals are roomed together, this is clearly a sexual-preference bias equalized only if men and women were allowed to room together, too, which the cadets would cheer.  Read more

More Airmen Request DADT Discharges

According to the Stars and Stripes, three more members of the US Air Force have requested discharge due to their homosexuality:

According to the Air Force, during the past month two female staff sergeants and a male 2nd lieutenant made statements identifying themselves as gay and asked to be separated quickly from the service.

While these discharges were once non-events, they are now front page news because of their rarity and the fact the Secretary of the Air Force has to approve them.

As with the other recent case, the article indicates these Airmen wanted to be discharged, and to be discharged quickly, before the repeal of DADT.  While homosexual advocacy groups have made much of the “victimization” Read more

Airman Discharged Under DADT, Groups Protest, But…

The Associated Press reported the US Air Force discharged an “Airman” under the current law prohibiting homosexuals from serving in the military, most commonly known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”  The homosexual advocacy group Servicemembers Legal Defense Network was obviously disturbed:

Aubrey Sarvis of the advocacy group [SLDN] said the discharge underscores the need for officials to wrap up the repeal process “and put this ugly chapter in American history behind us.”

Sarvis apparently failed to at least consider how the Air Force characterized the discharge, emphasis added:  Read more

DADT Update: HASC Testimony and Continued Opposition

The House Armed Services Committee recently held hearings on the proposed repeal of the policies known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James F. Amos, and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz joined Roughead in reporting to the committee about how implementation is going. All said training is going well.

While the testimony was interesting, it was largely overshadowed by the budget debate.  Suffice it to say that while some consider repeal a “done deal,” there is still opposition both within the government and without to allowing homosexuals to serve in the military:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Mo., pleaded with the military leaders: “You are the last force to stop this onerous policy.”

Much of the questioning focused on Chaplains and Read more

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