Marine General Opposes DADT Repeal
Update: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen expressed “surprise” that General Amos aired his views opposing the administration’s push to end DADT, rather than keeping those comments private.
The Associated Press reports General James Amos, newly installed Commandant of the Marine Corps, has continued his predecessor’s opposition to a repeal of the policy known as “Don’t ask, Don’t tell.” (Nearly simultaneously, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates called for repeal “quickly.”)
The article notes one unique aspect of the Marines:
A repeal of the policy may have unique consequences for the Marines, which is exempt from a Defense Department rule for troops to have private living quarters. The Marines puts two people in each room to promote a sense of unity.
The General also reportedly worries the repeal would “hurt combat readiness.”
Combat readiness was certainly harmed in all the other military forces with gays in them. Oh wait. It wasn’t.
Like blacks before them, soldiers, sailors and airmen will follow orders and welcome gays into the service as ordered.
One can only hope Rob is correct. Admitting Blacks into the military only dealt with racial issues. Gays deal with a set of prejudices not the least of which is institutional discrimination by the Christian Church. Quite a different ball game. Young, virile male Christian soldiers will have to achieve a degree of sensitivity which they have not displayed at this time and figiure out a rationale that satisfies both commands. Military and religious.