CJ DADT Statement From Other Milbloggers
May 12th, 2010 by CJ
Yesterday, milbloggers released a joint statement on the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. The administration and senior members of the military are investigating the possibility of overturning the DADT policy on banning homosexuals from openly serving in the military. You will notice that our signatures are nowhere to be found on the document. You can read the original statement by clicking on any of these links: Matt Burden- Warrior Legacy Foundation & BLACKFIVE, Jim Hanson- Warrior Legacy Foundation & BLACKFIVE, Blake Powers- BLACKFIVE, Fred Schoenman- BLACKFIVE, David Bellavia- House to House, Bruce McQuain- Q&O, JD Johannes- Outside the Wire, Diane Frances McInnis Miller- Boston Maggie, Mark Seavey- This Ain't Hell, Michael St. Jacques- The Sniper (strangely forbidden on my military computer), Mary Ripley- US Naval Institute Blog, John Donovan- Castle Argghhh!, Andrew J. Lubin- The Military Observer, Marc Danziger- Winds of Change, Greta Perry- Hooah Wife.
I love my fellow milblog brethren and sistren (made that up, I think), but I can't sign on to this under any circumstances. Because articles are coming out (pun intended) publicizing this statement by some prominent bloggers, I thought it appropriate to throw around my "4th Annual Milbloggie Army Blog of the Year" weight in opposition. The leftie blogs are throbbing with excitement (more punnery) over the news. As a way to provide some balance and levity to the argument and show that the milblog community isn't a talking point community, I respectfully submit the following alternative statement on the policy:
JOINT STATEMENT FROM OTHER MILITARY BLOGGERS
12 MAY 2010
Like all Military Bloggers, we consider the US military the greatest institution for good that has ever existed. No other organization has freed more people from oppression, done more humanitarian work or rescued more from natural disasters. We also want that to continue.Today, it appears inevitable to us that the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy and law restricting open homosexual behavior from serving will be changed. We believe that the changes resulting from the repeal or amending of this policy will cause unnecessary burdens upon the current force and readiness.
Homosexuals have always served in the US Military and in many instances were severely ostracized or worse when found out. The current policy of preventing disclosure of sexual orientation is in keeping with good order and discipline.
The service chiefs are currently studying the impact and consequences of changing the DADT policy, and how to implement it without compromising the morale, order and discipline necessary for the military to function. The study is due to be completed on Dec. 1st. We also ask Congress to withhold action until this is finished, but no longer.
We urge Congress to oppose any efforts to repeal the law and lift the policy of openly homosexual service in the military. A large number of associated concerns and costs are associated with the repeal, among them housing, legal status in various states, and moral objections from the majority of the force. The policy would also open doors to legitimate objections from polygamists and other groups who would feel discriminated against. The time is not now to consider such actions while our military is at war on more than two fronts.
We don’t believe the US Military is ready to adapt to the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell without compromising its mission. We disagree with Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen about lifting the ban but will welcome any and all lawful orders that may be given as a result of any repeal. The US Military is a professional force, but would take years to adjust to these extreme changes.
C.J. Grisham – A Soldier's Perspective and You Served
Troy Steward – Bouhammer and You Served
Bob Miller – Eagles Up: Talon
LL -Chromed Curses
Ponsdorf – Another Voice
Buzz Patterson – BuzzPatterson.com
Cassandra – Villianous Company
Carrie – Villianous Company
Cassie Fiano – Cassie Fiano.com
XBradTC – Bring the Heat, Bring the Stupid
If you are a milblogger and would like to add your name to this list, let me know. Due to the last minute nature of a rebuttal (or because I'm just wrong!), I could only muster a few preliminary signatures.
Additionally, you can read an interview with some of the "other" milbloggers over at Bloggasm.
[Author's Note: The OPINIONS expressed here are solely those of the author and do not represent those of any agency of the United States Government, expressly including, but not limited to, the Department of Defense or the United States Army. This site is not designed, authorized, sanctioned, or affiliated, by or with, any agency of the United States Government, expressly including, but not limited to, the Department of Defense or the United States Army. This post is in accordance with DODD 1344.10, which expressly permits me to "express a personal opinion on political candidates and issues, but not as a representative of the Armed Forces." Therefore, I hereby declare that I do not write this post as a representative of the Armed Forces. Since I no longer own this site, consider this post also in compliance with the provisions of paragraph 4.1.1.6 of DODD 1344.10.]
Tags: don't ask don't tell
Posted in Military Perspective, Political Perspective
If my support is needed you know you have it.
The blogspot domain is blocked by DoD servers. Thats why you can't get The Sniper.
[...] DADT Statement From Other Milbloggers [...]
You know I'm not technically a milblogger even though I have writing privileges here and at Youserved. That being said, I agree with your statement with the exception of one part. "The policy would also open doors to other legitimate objections from polygamists and other sexually perverse citizens who would feel discriminated against." Since polygamy is illegal in all states, it would have no standing in the military. Also, I don't feel homosexuality is a sexually perverse orientation (I'm not sure what you're referring to as "other sexually perverse citizens," but most things that come to mind with that phrasing is illegal also), I just don't think openly gay members should serve. The DADT is sufficient.
Opposition from within the ranks may be quiet in coming out, so to speak, given the fact LtGen Mixon was told he could tell his story walking if he disagreed.
Well, if it takes kicking out thousands upon thousands of troops who won't violate their beliefs or values, I guess that's a gamble we all have to take. I'm not afraid to stand up for principles.
Eh. I honestly don't see what the fuss is about. So they're gay. Big deal. I doubt that repealing DADT would cause a rash of wild behavior.
I have been closely associated with the military just about my entire life, and I have to agree that changing THIS standard can only result in immediately changing the entire military for the worse.
We have the fronts in Iraq and Afghanistan, while we also have those in South Korea, and quite a few other places in the world where either the citizens or neighbors are not that friendly towards the USA. We need all of the troops we can get, and we need them all trained to be the best that they can be.
If the DADT policy is changed many people, junior as well as senior, will decide to leave the service as quickly as they can. Others will be leary of their associations with the rest of the members of their units. We should be working to have cohesive units, where everyone is working together, and that will be impossible in the future.
Over 40 years ago, as an NCO I was living in a converted open baracks for several months. We had walls, but they did not go up to the ceiling. Next to me there was a "couple". It was very difficult to ignore the things that were going on. About 10 of us had to share the bathrooms. We had four showers, but they would often shower together, having "fun" while they did so.
I was very glad to have my TAD to come to a close so that I could get away from them.
If this policy is changed, does that mean that they would be allowed to live in the family housing units? How do we explain to the children living next door what is going on?
I have known quite a few homosexuals, most not in the military, and it is my opinion that they are free to participate in their activities, as long as they don't try to force me to endorse their behavior. Some of them were working for me. I simply asked that they do their work, but it was obvious that they would be operating separately from the rest of the groups. As a group, they often tended to feel that "everyone else" was treating them badly. While that might work okay in a corporate world, in the military it will not work.
In the military, lives depend on people working together. If anyone hesitates for even a moment, then people can die. There is a reason that married couples are rarely deployed together. It is natural for a person to want to take care of their partner more than anyone else. When this happens, the effectiveness of the entire unit is jepordized.
Not meaning any disrespect, but I believe the Sacred Band of Thebes would've disagreed with you…
Orion
Count me in.
[...] seemed to be supportive, aside from a few commenters in comment sections. But today, we saw a letter signed by several milbloggers that unequivocally called for the rejection of any efforts to repeal [...]
CJ
Not a blogger per se anymore, but an author. Sign me up if I can help.
Buzz
[...] — seemed to be supportive, aside from a few commenters in comment sections. But today, we saw a letter signed by several milbloggers that unequivocally called for the rejection of any efforts to repeal [...]
Please add my name.
[...] Ironically, Uncle Jimbo (who drafted the letter to repeal DADT) has also signed on to CJ's letter. Don't try to understand that one, as there is no way to understand what happens in the head [...]
[...] [...]
Not a military blogger, but if I can help I'm in.
I am not Military but I feel that the Military is the premier institution in all of American culture.
I have enjoyed BlackFive since its inception. I agree with all the statements in Uncle Jimbo's introduction to this issue, up to the conclusion.
The only point of disagreement is the issue of privacy. In all my conversations with service members, showering and sleeping is a major issue. Most equate this with women showering with men.
The current policy allows anyone to serve. The only people being excluded have excluded themselves, seemingly for political reasons.
The Military does not seem to pursue. Sex of any kind is out of bounds.
This present policy was a difficult compromise to fashion but it seems the only policy that gives everyone some degree of acceptance.
I definitely do not feel that this president is making this change because he has any respect for the institution of the Military. To him, it is clearly payback for the political support of the gay community. (As is the nomination of Elena Kagan. It seems that a Justice Kagan will push for protected status for homosexuality of all persuasions.)
Perhaps it would be best to wait for a Commander in Chief that seems to have the best intentions of the Military at heart.
[...] and the statement have other links too): Gay Patriot TC Override Center for Military Readiness A Soldiers' Perspective Susan Katz Keating Milblogging.com This Ain't Hell Hot Air Blackfive Share and [...]
[...] A Soldiers Perspective Statement from other milbloggers AGAINST repealing DADT [...]
My question is, should the policy be changed how many of the Gay folks that are fighting for the change will actually sign up and join the military? Will there be a large influx of Gays wanting to serve? Probably not. Is this really about being openly Gay to serve your country or about a win under their belt?
The way I see it this is just another battle like allowing photo ops at Dover. Once that was reversed how many photographers are at Dover showing flagged draped coffins? It's all PC.
Listen to the boots on the ground, if they want DADT reversed then do it, if they don't then leave the policy as it is. They are the ones that will have to deal and live w/the changes. Sometimes the best thing is to leave well enough alone.
CJ, go ahead and add me as a signatory to your statement.
I am of the opinion that very many of the gay servicemembers would indeed be able to perform in a manner consistent with the highest standards of the service.
My real concern is the Diversity Industry would have a field day.
Further, I do not see that the repeal of DADT would benefit the force to an extent that would outweigh the disruption caused.
If it doesn't help the fight, why do it?
You don't have to worry. Obama didn't request that repeal of DADT be put in this year's defence budget. That means the military study will have to be completed first. Then there's the half-term elections, when the Dems will get massacred in the polls.
So DADT will be in place for at least another 10 years – Obama's remaining term, then the 2-term Republican president after him (no way is a Republican president going to sign off on a bill repealing DADT even if it does get passed).
AS Col. Householder put it so aptly:
"The Army is not a sociological laboratory; to be effective it must be organized and trained according to the principles which will insure success. Experiments to meet the wishes and demands of the champions of every race and creed for the solution of their problems are a danger to efficiency, discipline and morale and would result in ultimate defeat."
I'm sure many here would agree.
@Zoe, yes General Omar Bradley said the same thing about the US Military not being used as a laboratory for social experimentation. He said it back in 1948, but he was talking about keeping the military segregated based on race. You can discount the similiarities all you want, but in 1948 when President Harry Truman issued an executive order to integrate the armed forces he was met with the SAME arguments against it…morale, unit cohesion. Besides Zoe, it IS happening in the near future NOT ten years. If congress does not repeal DADT this year there will likely be a stop-loss order by the Commander-in-Chief to freeze discharges. The Pentagon Working Group have a number of people working full time to integrate openly gay and lesbian service members into the US Military.
[...] my last post on A Soldier's Perspective, I've done a lot of thinking about the whole DADT debate and I think I've changed my [...]
Would have to agree, CJ. This is just another front/tactic from the progressive movement to disrupt and distract. Too bad so many milbloggers took the bait.