Should the Army ban homosexuality?

Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 09:05:51 -0500

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 9:09 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 09:09:12 -0500

Dude, the Army is totally gay. You can't ban what you are.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 9:23 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 09:23:41 -0500

Since you didn't expand on your question and discuss your reasoning, I will simply say NO.

Response by SPC Andrew Griffin made Mar 1 at 2016 9:26 AM

SPC Andrew Griffin — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 09:26:16 -0500

That would be discriminatory! Homosexuality has been in the Army for the longest! It just hasn't been this Open!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 9:30 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 09:30:13 -0500

Nope. What you do with your partner is up to you and shouldn't be a determining factor in your ability to serve. We did ban it in the past. Now they can openly serve. The Army didn't break. I know many out there thought it would but there were gay service members in the Army already that we didn't know. I have served with some homosexual service members. The one that was open about was a great soldier. He knew what he was doing and he extremely professional. It didn't matter that he was married to a man.

I will just say that there comes a point where it doesn't matter who saves your ass in combat. As long as they can do the job.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 9:50 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 09:50:56 -0500

The problem with that question is that there are going to be multiple perceptions on the matter concerning homosexuals.
When going through AF Basic training I knew of at least 2 guys that were but we're so afraid of what people would think about them if they came out that they stayed yo themselves. Well, that didn't sit well with me, so I got to talking to em and did my best to make them feel apart of the team. Both graduated with flying colors. They were both physically and mentally ready for the Air Forces demands.
Now, enter Army basic training 5 years later. At the time, during basic, I only ever knew of one gay soldier and he was open about it but he also gave homosexuals a bad name. He approached several soldiers sexually, and, from what several DS's said, did it once in the showers. That don't sit well with me. Nothing I could do about it but he eventually got pushed out nearing 6th week. As for anot her soldier, I didn't find out till he was in AIT with us.
It's not for me to say what happened. But it boils my blood what he was accused of and an OSI investigation started. He was barred from graduation because of fraudulent charges (which were dropped) but the poor guy didn't like his MOS anymore and decided to reclass. I don't believe he's still in, which makes me feel bad because he was actually a really good soldier.
So, after my long winded response, which I apologize for, homosexuals are human, if they want to serve, they have every right to. We need to get over our fears of homosexuality as a species even if it's, well, not necessarily distasteful, but different. I've known several homosexuals and like em. They're regular guys and gals and make great airmen, soldiers, seamen and marines. There needs to be a line, though, drawn as to how they approach others whom they might want to start a relationship. But, that also goes with "straight" military personnel.
The whole system probably needs to be reevaluated because you will always have the ones who are scared of such people.
I for one will say that "as long as one minds their own business and stay out of others, everything will run like a well oiled machine".

It'll be a long time before homosexuals are fully accepted as part of the military system without fear or harassment.
Hopefully it comes sooner rather than later.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 1 at 2016 10:17 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 10:17:41 -0500

The Army (and other services) itself doesn't have the Power to ban homosexuality. That is something reserved to Congress through the Powers of the Constitution and Laws passed. The applicable Laws have changed as Public Attitude has changed, first through DADT, and then it's revocation. Furthermore, there have been numerous SCOTUS cases which have settled various "aspects" of the debate which boil down to "what you do in your own bedroom is your own business" and "the Federal government cannot define marriage based on gender."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_v._Texas
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obergefell_v._Hodges

Lawrence v. Texas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lawrence v. Texas, 539 U.S. 558 (2003) is a landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court. The Court struck down the sodomy law in Texas and, by extension, invalidated sodomy laws in 13 other states, making same-sex sexual activity legal in every U.S. state and territory. The Court, with a five-justice majority, overturned its previous ruling on the same issue in the 1986 case Bowers v. Hardwick, where it upheld a challenged Georgia...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 10:29 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 10:29:36 -0500

You mean ban it again?
What would be the motivation to do so?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 10:38 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 10:38:37 -0500

Private RallyPoint Member , before I answer your question, I would like to ask you to explain/expand your question.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Mar 1 at 2016 10:39 AM

SGT Richard H. — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 10:39:37 -0500

Jeezuz, are we really going here again?

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Mar 1 at 2016 11:52 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 11:52:05 -0500

Wow...... We're going back to this again? Why on God's earth should we ban homosexuality? If you want to use God as a reference for your answer, God made us in his image. So with that God would be a million things, yet nothing at the same time. Many leaders historically were "gay", should we take them out of the history books? Man love Thursdays isn't a new thing, and historically young boys were used in plays and in bedrooms of the powerful, not just in the Islamic faith. I reckon you never heard of the Priests who have been sentenced to prison for raping young boys here in the US? My next question would be have you worn the uniform? If you did, were you able to spot the "homo"? I knew a few "homo's" in my time that were some damn competent and effective leaders. So who they sleep with has no bearing on job performance. I've learned the ones who "hate" something the most and are the most vocal about it, ARE either the "Thing" they're talking about, afraid of what they're talking about, want to be a part of what they "hate" the most, or have no real clue as to what they're talking about. In this case, which one are you?

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Mar 1 at 2016 11:54 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 11:54:19 -0500

You are entitled to your wants, feelings and opinions; it's truly one of the few things in this world you are entitled to, but you can wish in one hand and crap into the other and you know which gets filled first. As for myself, I am wishing the Army would issue us light sabers!

Perhaps the question you should ask is of yourself, and that is if you can make peace with the fact that gays are now, always have been, and always will be (and can now be public about it) in the military.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 12:23 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 12:23:44 -0500

It's like asking if we should remove a woman's right to vote or to segregate schools.

Try giving some context to your question; why bring up a question that has been answered time and again? More rights are being clarified for all, that would be step back.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Mar 1 at 2016 12:27 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 12:27:27 -0500

Why does this come up over and over. We are discussing settled law. The Army can not ban homosexuality.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Mar 1 at 2016 12:30 PM

SN Greg Wright — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 12:30:56 -0500

This is an inane question.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 12:35 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 12:35:13 -0500

Okay so I literally came in when this was officially changed so to speak. September 20th 2011 I was going to graduation practice for BCT. Anyways regardless of whether it is banned or not they will still be in. I don't think many people put that they had previously had a drug problem. Besides who cares? One of my soldiers is gay and she doesn't flaunt it around. It's also not a problem in the military. Yes are there going to be those who claim to be homosexual to get married to their friend to get out of the barracks? Sure; but to combat that by banning homosexuality is punishing the wrong people. If you are going to talk about people getting in relationships then I think you need to open your eyes and look to find out that ITS ALREADY HAPPENING. This is not the first post today that I have seen that is against the LGBTOA community or what some of us call the GOLBAT community. I joined the military for everyones writes and know that if you are physically capable of joining the military and truly want to be in the military than you should not be stopped by something so trivial.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 12:35 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 12:35:25 -0500

Here we go again.....

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 1 at 2016 1:41 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 13:41:55 -0500

Right after they ban war, dishonesty, infidelity, criminality, avarice, greed, and a few others I could mention

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Mar 1 at 2016 2:06 PM

PO3 Donald Murphy — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 14:06:49 -0500

Its too late now. Once you allow them freedoms, rights, marriage, adoption, don't-ask-don't-tell, its a done deal. They're out of the closet now.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 3:23 PM

Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 15:23:53 -0500

Thank all of you for your advice and I really appreciate it and I'm sorry if I offended any of you.

Response by Amn Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 3:53 PM

Amn Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 15:53:28 -0500

No.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 4:13 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 16:13:07 -0500

The only thing I find odd in this topic is no one ever mentions the rights of the service member who doesn't approve of homosexuality. I'm not saying that anyone should discriminate or attack someone for their beliefs, however when you express an opinion, faith based or otherwise, that goes against the now popular support for this, you get slammed with written counseling and career ending consequences. I find it shameful that it has come down to such extremes to appear politically correct that it is quick to end careers of many sailors and soldiers I have served with over a difference of opinion.

Response by 1LT Christopher Sorge made Mar 1 at 2016 7:22 PM

1LT Christopher Sorge — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 19:22:53 -0500

This is a mentally deficient post.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 7:32 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 19:32:36 -0500

Why is this even a concern anymore?

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Mar 1 at 2016 9:46 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 21:46:14 -0500

Why?

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Mar 1 at 2016 11:22 PM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 23:22:57 -0500

Yes IMHO

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Mar 1 at 2016 11:23 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 23:23:56 -0500

Why don't you enlist and find out the real truth?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2016 8:08 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 08:08:55 -0500

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Mar 2 at 2016 3:15 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 15:15:36 -0500

In 1948, President Truman by executive order de-segregated the military. At that time, this was an even more radical social change to the military than lifting the homosexual ban. It was "supposed" to ruin the military, but that never happened. Its been proven for almost 70 years that race and color are not performance indicators. Neither is a person's love life in my opinion.

Response by SGT James Walls made Mar 2 at 2016 6:25 PM

SGT James Walls — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 18:25:43 -0500

I CAN KICKED OUT FOR BEING GAY AND MY LIFE HAS SUCKED EVER SINCE....I HAD 6 YEARS IN AND WAS PLANNING ON BEING CAREER. BUT NOPE DID'NT HAPPEN.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2016 6:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 18:51:02 -0500

The fact that this question is still coming up is disgusting.

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Mar 2 at 2016 7:08 PM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 19:08:38 -0500

The short answer is no, but I'll expand to help in your mentorship. Upon joining the Army you are forced to subjugate your personally religious conservative values and you are indoctrinated into the Army Values. This particular issue is settled and protected by EO and SHARP policy and your personal interpretation while in uniform is muted. You can, however, raise your family as you see fit, talk to your wife or your chaplain as needed about it. You just have to understand it is the Army Values now and not yours. With that said, you may also feel conflicted regarding the use of women in direct combat and transgender service members, but this will be decided by civilian policy makers. As a Soldier your job is to execute policy, not like it.
So you can still serve your country with conservative views, but you cannot really expand upon them except in private and if you cannot deal with that than you shouldn't join.
The next president may or may not be a conservative so things may or may not get better based on your view point.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2016 7:25 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 19:25:11 -0500

Not every one believes in God my friend when I reinlisted I did not say so help me God because I do not believe that's not me and it's not for every one

Response by SPC Christopher Shanahan made Mar 2 at 2016 7:35 PM

SPC Christopher Shanahan — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 19:35:15 -0500

I was in the Army for 4 years. I was an intelligence analyst for my 10th Mountain unit, and deployed to AFG OEF 13-14. I always passed my PT tests, I did SSD1 when I was directed to. I mentored lower ranking soldiers in all aspects of the military, and succeeded in every situation I found myself. I'm gay. My sexuality has/had nothing to do with my work ethic or my warrior spirit. If you're scared to join the military because you may encounter a gay person, do us all a favor and just don't join. My brothers in my unit knew that I was gay, and it was a non-issue because at the end of the day they knew I would perform my job at 150%. End transmission.

Response by SMSgt Brian Millington made Mar 2 at 2016 8:21 PM

SMSgt Brian Millington — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 20:21:36 -0500

As long as they can pull their weight in their job who cares. I would much rather serve with a homosexual who is professional and proficient than a hetrosexual who is a dirtbag and incompetent.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Mar 2 at 2016 8:40 PM

PO3 David Fries — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 20:40:44 -0500

I don't have the words or the will. Just no.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2016 9:31 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 21:31:31 -0500

We tried that, didn't work

Response by SPC Eric Cunningham made Mar 2 at 2016 9:40 PM

SPC Eric Cunningham — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 21:40:52 -0500

Look kid, I'm going to be straight with you. If you decide to join, your world is going to get much bigger and much smaller all at the same time. Whatever prejudices fly in the community you are growing up in, whatever beliefs you take for granted because they aren't challenged, will be upended. You will be exposed to people of all races, all religions, gay and straight. These people will be your superiors and , if you're in long enough, your subordinates. The whole world of ideas will be mashed into you and your very view of the world will be challenged. And while all this is happening and growing around you, what matters will shrink. The mission and the people to your left and right - not what they think or believe, but who they ARE as your brothers in arms - will become your world. Because when things get real, it doesn't matter if you're Christian or Hindi or atheist. It doesn't matter if your straight or gay. You WILL watch your brother's back and he will watch yours. And if you can't get to that point, you aren't needed.

Response by CSM William Payne made Mar 2 at 2016 10:11 PM

CSM William Payne — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 22:11:29 -0500

Dakota, when the time comes for you to join the military, you are going to have to make some tough choices. Not only do you swear to defend the Constitution of the United States, but to also obey the orders of the President of the United States and the Officers appointed over you . . . Think long and hard about that, because as of today that president could easily be either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. I served 40 years in uniform under eight presidents; Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush 41, Clinton, Bush 43 and Obama. I did not vote for many of them and certainly didn't agree with all of the policies of each, but I swore an oath. I didn't get to cherry pick which one to obey and which one not to obey. This is to make a point. Whether you join the military or not, you will be around gays, you may not know it but you will be. They are in your schools, your colleges, on your sports teams, in your civilian workplace and yes even in your Church. They have ALWAYS been there, just living in the shadows or "in the closet" as we used to say. In the military we are given orders, and even if we may personally disagree with them as long as it's a lawful order we are bound by our oath to salute the flag, obey the order and drive on. IF you think that by following those orders you feel that you are compromising your principles to the extent that you can't carry them out, you need to think about doing something else for a living.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Mar 2 at 2016 10:19 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 22:19:44 -0500

And -- How do you feel about it?

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Mar 2 at 2016 10:38 PM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 22:38:52 -0500

I don't know why people would downvote a simple question, other than it being irrevelent. Homosexuality is a part of the US culture now. While people are free to agree or disagree with it being acceptle to them morally, as far as rights there is no question that sexual preference should not be considered for employment.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2016 11:18 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 23:18:22 -0500

I'm just gonna leave this right here...
https://youtu.be/878mBvDrhVg

Gays In The Military - Can You Be Gay In The Army?

SUBSCRIBE HERE: http://goo.gl/CDdd8w Action Figure Therapy’s Jungle Recon weigh in on the topic of gays in the military and talks about how he has found the ...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2016 11:18 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 23:18:31 -0500

I'm just gonna leave this right here...
https://youtu.be/878mBvDrhVg

Gays In The Military - Can You Be Gay In The Army?

SUBSCRIBE HERE: http://goo.gl/CDdd8w Action Figure Therapy’s Jungle Recon weigh in on the topic of gays in the military and talks about how he has found the ...

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2016 11:58 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 23:58:08 -0500

Really? Is this a thing again? How did it turn out last time there was a ban on gay people? Fiscally speaking, it's just a bad idea because you're going to spend God knows how much training somebody and paying them to stay in because they fill some niche specialty; and that snowballs with tenure and rank as we all know, and you'd kick them out when you find out they're into the same sex? It just doesn't make sense at all. If you can do your job and you want to continue to do your job, then you should be afforded that chance.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2016 1:51 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 01:51:57 -0500

Why is this question even up here? Seriously why are so many people/Soldiers concerned about others sexuality. Are taskings and missions being met? Are Soldiers being trained properly and efficiently? These are questions to be asked!!!

Response by Cpl Tou Lee Yang made Mar 3 at 2016 4:23 AM

Cpl Tou Lee Yang — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 04:23:22 -0500

Personally, I find homosexual repulsive. But its their life and their preference does not interfere with my own personal life. Who am I to judge another person's religions, creed, or sexuality. As long as the person next to me covers my back, he can be a flaming homosexual and I wouldn't even care.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2016 5:50 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 05:50:44 -0500

I fail to see why I'm commenting besides the fact that there are still some soldiers stuck on this.

Bottom line, it doesn't matter. Does it make a soldiers less capable because they like the same sex? Do they still posses the ability to be smart, capable, and confident, just the same as a straight soldier?

That's the great thing about America, you can be who you really are and succeed.

Response by MSgt Wayne Morris made Mar 3 at 2016 6:44 AM

MSgt Wayne Morris — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 06:44:04 -0500

Too late to put that genie back in the bottle. Suck it up and move on.
Times change regardless if we agree with it or not.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2016 1:00 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 13:00:49 -0500

When I was in Basic, I kind of thought the Army was promoting it. There I was. In a bay full of other men. They yelled at all day and all night "Put your head a swivel" and "Keep aware of your entire surroundings". Then put me in next all these naked men without any privacy in one huge shared shower room, who were progressively getting leaner and more muscular as the weeks when on. And we were all denied access to our wives and girlfriends as the weeks went by.

Just saying.

Response by SrA Jonathan Carbonaro made Mar 3 at 2016 1:56 PM

SrA Jonathan Carbonaro — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 13:56:55 -0500

Ha ha ha, in the same line of thinking God is against divorce should we ban those too? He is against people eating Bacon, should the DFAC, stop serving what looks like bacon? He is against lying, should we really be honest on our pha's? What up ADAPT for damn near everyone I know.

Response by Sgt Shely Hanson made Mar 3 at 2016 2:21 PM

Sgt Shely Hanson — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 14:21:34 -0500

So, some kid, who is a cashier at Quik Trip and "plans" to join the Army "in a few years" thinks he has an opinion about this? Really kid. You don't get to question it until you are actually IN the Army. It is an exclusive club, and not everyone makes it.

I grew up in a small town in Oklahoma and had these same dumb views. Joining the military was my first real experience with anyone who was gay (during don't ask, don't tell.) It did not take long for me to change my views. I met and knew these upstanding people who I would literally trust with my life, that I worked beside every day, and they happened to be gay. It did not change their character or integrity. In fact one gay man (who was my supervisor) is still in and getting close to retirement. He has deployed more times than most. He is a combat trucker, and has been in the shit; he has lost friends, and watched friends die; he has saved lives. If he does not deserve to stay in and retire, I don't know who does.

The United States is NOT a Christian nation, regardless of what you have been spoon fed your whole life. And the military is most certainly not a Christian organization. There are peoples from all religions, of all sexual orientations, nationalities (even some who are not US citizens), and walks of life. One of the first things you learn in basic training is the military is a place for all of them.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2016 4:15 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 16:15:22 -0500

No.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2016 11:48 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 23:48:21 -0500

Should we throat punch anyone violating out constitution?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2016 11:51 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 23:51:17 -0500

3 of my soldiers are gay. I'll slap anyone that messes with them.

Response by SGT Darrell Young made Mar 4 at 2016 1:41 AM

SGT Darrell Young — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 01:41:34 -0500

YES

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2016 2:33 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 14:33:11 -0500

Nope, we need every man and woman who are willing and able to fight for the United States of America point blank period.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Mar 5 at 2016 6:27 PM

SrA Matthew Knight — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 18:27:55 -0500

The amount of homosexuals I have personally known/worked with since I've been in: At least 5 that I know for sure, possibly and probably more.

The amount of homosexuals of those I know/worked with that I had problems with related to their homosexuality: Only 1 and that was because the individual in question started getting kind of obnoxious about it, bringing it up in conversation where it has no place and what not. Otherwise, I have never had a problem with anyone who was.

I don't agree with it but I know it's not my place to judge or infringe on someone's rights to love who they love. One of my friends at my last unit was homosexual and I had no issues with her being so because she wasn't obnoxious about it. She did her job and she did it well and that's all that mattered.

The only thing that would be achieved by banning service members from being openly homosexual would be punishing and discharging people unfairly for their sexual preference which isn't even a personal choice. A man's attraction to another man is no different than my attraction to a woman. What in the world is wrong with that? Why should it be banned? Can they put bullets down range effectively and do there job? If yes than cool, there's no reason to punish or discharge them.

What is this, the '90s? Why is this even a question anymore?

Response by SSG Jesse Cheadle made Mar 7 at 2016 9:16 AM

SSG Jesse Cheadle — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 09:16:26 -0500

I will tell you this much, I have known Soldiers that are LGB. The service members that fall into that category are probably the most professional about their affairs. Never once have I had an advance towards me nor have I ever seen open displays of affection. Chances are, you would never know unless you make it your business to know. Lastly, I dont give a rats ass which way you swing in the middle of a firefight. True story. Wake up kid, dont think for a second that you are larger than life.

Response by SSG Todd Hensley made Mar 7 at 2016 10:39 AM

SSG Todd Hensley — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 10:39:27 -0500

I served 4 years active duty and 7 years in the National Guard. I am gay and had to hide who I really was. I even went as far as getting married. I'm know out of the military and out of the closet. I regret leaving the military but not coming out of the closet. I served with several other gay men in the military and they were all good soldiers. I enter the Army in 1988. I feel they should be able to openly serve. I also feel that there has been many good soldiers who left the military or were kicked out because of the don't ask don't tell. Just my view as a gay vet.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2016 12:30 PM

Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 12:30:56 -0500

I find it funny that most of you are like,oh he's trolling because he's in HS . But I guess you don't ask why I want to know or why is this important to me. You just don't care.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2016 5:30 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 05:30:14 -0500

The fact that people are even asking this question is ridiculos.

Response by SSG James Arlington made Mar 31 at 2016 3:23 PM

SSG James Arlington — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 15:23:11 -0400

The guy next to you is gay, and probably a hero. Wrote about it in my last book, My War With Hemingway.

Response by PO1 Gene Barfield made Apr 7 at 2016 9:06 PM

PO1 Gene Barfield — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 21:06:16 -0400

In a 1992 GAO report entitled "Defense Force Management (available in summary at http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO/NSIAD-92-98 with a .pdf download link for the entire report) the government stated that in 1990 it cost $28,226 to replace every enlisted person and $120,772 to replace every officer discharged for being lgbt.

When I spoke, in 1993, with the primary editor of the report he acknowledged that the sum of all costs relating to lgbt discharges was likely underreported by a factor of at least 10. This is because the cost estimate for, for example, replacing an enlisted individual was given as the cost of replacing that individual with an E1 fresh from boot camp, regardless of the rank, time-in-service, training and experience of the person being discharged. In my case, if I had been discharged at, say, my 8-year point, the cost to replace me with a person of equal qualifications, experience and training would have had to include the base cost of $28K, plus all the costs of putting that individual through Nuclear Power School (estimated to be $118K at the time), Enlisted Submarine School, Stainless Steel Welding class, Navy Drug & Alcohol Safety Action Program, Career Counselor School, another Class "A" School and two Class "C" schools plus recruiting school, plus all pay, benefits and allowances over an eight year career.

The authors of the report also freely acknowledged their cost summaries for replacing officers were way off in ways they couldn't even estimate because many officers suspected of or determined to be lgbt were allowed to resign, and therefore their discharges weren't included in the totals of those thrown out for being lgbt.

Remember, all those costs are in 1992 dollars. Even without the correction factors made necessary as explained above, the cost of discharging lgbt people were astronomical and made no sense at all.

At the same time this report appeared publicly, a handful of previously suppressed DOD reports dating back as far as WWII on the subject of lgbt people in the military found their way to the desks of every member of Congress, by means not yet publicly disclosed. All of the reports included data which made it understandable why DOD attempted, ultimately without success, to keep the public from ever seeing them. Statistical studies of the service records of 100% of the people discharged for being lgbt gave evidence that by throwing such people out, DOD was consistently losing people who were among the best and brightest in uniform, as determined by career evaluation grade averages, rates of advancement, and decorations and other received.

Defense Force Management: DOD's Policy on Homosexuality

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Defense's (DOD) policy of excluding homosexuals from serving in the armed forces.

Response by PV2 Kenneth Booth made Jun 16 at 2016 10:23 AM

PV2 Kenneth Booth — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 10:23:12 -0400

The most feared military force in history was composed of all homosexual male couples. They were ruthless yet they protected their partners ferociously. The Spartan Army.

Response by PVT Andrew Burd made Jun 17 at 2016 2:31 PM

PVT Andrew Burd — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 14:31:40 -0400

THIS should sum this up with a quickness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLICBBTjqcE

Gays in the Military

Provided to YouTube by Warner Music Group Gays in the Military · Bill Hicks Rant In E-Minor 1997 Arizona Bay Production Company. Manufactured and marketed ...

Response by SPC David Willis made Feb 6 at 2018 12:39 PM

SPC David Willis — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 12:39:01 -0500

Haha an anonymous dumbass posting an inflammatory topic. Thought I smelled troll.