There are gays currently serving in all branches of the military. There could be one sitting on a crapper right next to you in an open bay latrine at this very minute. You may have showered with one or more of them this morning. You have dined with them in the chow hall, and swapped MRE pouches with them in the field. One of them might have saved your life just now on the field of battle, but somehow all of this takes on a new persona if you know they are gay? You know they are there. You know that you have served with them. So, knowing for certain that a person is gay is really going to make a difference in your attitude and morale?
I proudly served my country in the U.S. Army and later in the U.S. Air Force (Florida Air National Guard). I knew for a fact that some of my fellow soldiers and airmen were redneck assholes, but while in uniform we were all on the same team; we all had the same mission to accomplish. I did not allow my personal feelings to interfere with the task at hand. When off duty, we all went our separate ways. You can't tell me that straights and gays in the military can't and don't do that already.
Just for grins and giggles, let's ponder a rather outrageous scenario based upon a few numbers. There are approximately 1.3 million Americans serving in the military. National averages suggest that some 10%, or 130,000, are gay. What consequences can you imagine if all 130,000, and any potential recruits, came out of the closet - in unison? For one thing, military admin offices around the world would be up to their eyeballs with out-processing paperwork. Looking at the "big picture," a rebellion of this magnitude just possibly would force the homophobes in Congress and the military to re-evaluate their misplaced priorities.
This country is still involved in two George Bush wars. Can our military afford to lose 130,000, or more, over sexual orientation?
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