Letting all Americans serve their country

Q: Top U.S. defense officials say they will repeal the decades-old "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which requires gay soldiers to keep their sexual orientation secret. Homosexuality is often cast as a religious issue. Should religious views of homosexuality be a factor in such military decisions? Should the U.S. military repeal its 'don't ask, don't tell' policy?

Religious views are important factors in constructing one's understanding of and relationship to other human beings and to the world. As such, they are pivotal in the way people think and act. However, one's view of homosexuality may or may not be religiously based. For many, it is the consequence of one's moral and ethical views that have no connection with religion. Atheists, for example, also have views on homosexuality, both for and against. Thus, the discussion of views about homosexuality need not be limited to religion.

That said, the best way to answer the questions above is to first consider the role of the military and why one might choose to enlist. The military is that branch of the government in which citizens work to protect the country and all its resident against outside forces that wish to do them or the country harm. Additionally, it exists to help our allies in times of their need when they request it and Congress approves it. Therefore, before inducting anyone into military service, the two most important issues that need to be considered are: 1) can the enlistee be trained to fulfill his or her duties in a way that benefits the service and the country, and 2) does it appear that the person's overall presence (attitude, method of relating to others, etc.) will benefit the service and the country.

The first question has little or nothing to do with one's sexual orientation, only with one's knowledge, physical abilities, and capacity to learn. There are physical, mental, and educational requirements, and those who cannot meet them are often not admitted. Some people allege that homosexuality is a moral or psychological defect that should disqualify people from serving. They fear that the presence of gay and lesbian personnel will threaten military cohesiveness and morale. A similar view was held in the past about Black Americans and Japanese Americans. Once members of these groups were integrated into various branches of the armed services, not only was there no irreparable damage caused but the services were actually enhanced in the process.

While I do believe that genetics is a major factor in most people's homosexuality, it has yet to be shown how this is a defect anymore than being short, tall, black, white, or left handed are defects. Just as none of these characteristics can be easily altered, neither can one's sexual orientation. Clearly, the vast majority of heterosexuals would find it impossible to alter their sexual orientation. Why, then, should one imagine that it would be any easier for a homosexual to do so? Much of the problem is a combination of fear and lack of understanding. Therefore, if someone with a homosexual orientation has a longing to serve the country by entering into military service, then he or she should have as much a right to do so as any other citizen.

In the military as in any business or corporation, the sexual preferences of consenting adults should be their own business as long as they fulfill their duties and do not cause harm to others or to the military in the process. This goes for heterosexuals as well as homosexuals. According to current federal law that applies to military, those who openly engage in homosexual behavior "create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability." While I was in the military, I saw many heterosexuals engage in behavior that could have easily been perceived as creating an unacceptable risk to military standards.

Those who continue to see homosexuality as a defect or lifestyle choice will likely continue to resist opening the military. However, the rest of the country will hopefully see that allowing all Americans who have the will and ability to serve is the right thing to do. Our military has far more pressing issues than worrying about the love lives of its members, provided they fulfill their duties and help keep us all safe.

By Ramdas Lamb  |  February 12, 2010; 3:29 AM ET Save & Share:                 
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