Being Homosexual in the Military

This is a hot button topic currently once again in the face of America. The debate is not about whether gay man or woman fights in combat as well as a straight one. Of course they they do. It is not about whether they are just as patriotic, of course they are. The debate is simply on whether a homosexual should make it public to those in military. To those they work and train with closely. Is the military different than the civilian counterpart? Well, of course.

The real issue, when it gets down to it, is intimacy, when a unit enters into a combat zone, which is very regimented in many ways, far different than a civilian world. Its not even about being together in a firefight for life or death, but afterwards, specifically, in the few close intimate situations where gays and straights may share: showers, the mess hall, the recreation area. When both are in active in their units and out in the zone, their mission to defend their comrades is paramount. Their mission assigned to the unit is their only focus.

Homosexuals really need to accept the fact they are not accepted everywhere they go. Just as a redneck is not accepted by other rednecks for whatever differences exist. People are people. If a gay service person openly comes out and "tells the world" how wonderful it is to be queer, they should expect problems. Sorry, but it is not the norm for most of the world. Just face it. They joined the military for other reasons, they accepted the "do not tell" rule, and the consequences if they break it for some sort of rebellious in your face right. They went in the military knowing all of this to reap its benefits in training and pay.

Why is it they feel it is their right now to break the silent agreement? Let's get a visual: a platoon of men are taking showers in  shower stall. A man who openly has stated he is gay enters to bath. The others know this. The others are straight or maybe silent gays. Regardless, human nature what it is, one knows a few scenarios will play out, none good for the men in the platoon or for their morale. Biases will flare, things said. At the very minimum, the gay soldier will be an outcast and the gay soldier will no doubt wish he had remained silent because he still has a 6-12 month tour with the unit.

So, what exactly is the benefit of having the gay declare his sexual preference to the his combat unit? The only one I can see is a self ego, radical, appreciation one where the gay's declaration is nothing more than "shoving the gay issue"  down the throats of those who disagree with it. And, at the end of the day, they may feel better with such bravado, but it actually makes their own life more difficult with those in the same unit. Their declaration will follow them for good or worse because despite laws, people are people and act upon their own prejudices and biases.

If I were gay and in the military, I would remain silent. A gay person should not go into the military with some radical issue for legal justice for their sexual orientation. It ain't the place.