Study: Military Gays Do Not Undermine Unit Cohesion

[ccharles000]

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon08/07/070708mil.htm

(Washington) Congress should repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy because the presence of gays in the military is unlikely to undermine the ability to fight and win, according to a new study released by a California-based research center.

The study was conducted by four retired military officers, including the three-star Air Force lieutenant general who in early 1993 was tasked with implementing President Clinton's policy that the military stop questioning recruits on their sexual orientation.

"Evidence shows that allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly is unlikely to pose any significant risk to morale, good order, discipline or cohesion," the officers states.

To support its contention, the panel points to the British and Israeli militaries, where it says gay people serve openly without hurting the effectiveness of combat operations.

Undermining unit cohesion was a determining factor when Congress passed the 1993 law, intended to keep the military from asking recruits their sexual orientation. In turn, service members can't say they are gay or bisexual, engage in homosexual activity or marry a member of the same sex.

[freesqueeze]

1. no kidding

I can't imagine anybody in combat giving a flip about where his comrade puts his weezer in his own free time. Hard to believe this is still an issue.

[ColbertWatcher]

2. I glanced your headline out of the corner of my eye and thought it said...

...militant gays do not undermine unit cohesion.

That would actually be interesting.

As far as just plain old run-of-the-mill "military gays", well that's simply old news.

[ColbertWatcher]

3. Kick. n/t

[ccharles000]

4. Thanks for kicking.

[ColbertWatcher]

5. You're welcome.

I just don't understand why no one has anything to say about this article.

On DU or on TV.

You'd think it'd scare the shit out of the GOP-controlled media, but not a peep. And nothing here.

What gives?

[tavalon]

6. Well now, that's a duh statement

However, I want all of our gays to remain alive, so I think they should just stay out of the military. Don't ask, don't go.

[ColbertWatcher]

7. True, but why not let them have the freedom all citizens have...

...and they can choose for themselves?