Don't surrender 'don't ask, don't tell'

Our military leadership supports repealing the don't ask, don't tell policy because they fear the inevitable judgment to do so looming from the courts.

If our courts believe that our military is enlightened to the point where gay soldiers can serve openly, does it follow that all gender barriers will come down? Should we eliminate the “separate and unequal” gender-specific berthing, bathroom, and training facilities that currently exist and reap the huge savings that would result? Would there be better unit cohesiveness and perceived “fairness” by fully integrating boot camps, obstacle courses, warfare specialties and fully standardizing hair cuts, uniforms, strength requirements, height requirements, weight requirements, and draft registration requirements between genders?

Will we no longer wrestle with the logistics of men and women serving in separate accommodations whether in submarines or fox holes? Would the harm done by our sons, daughters, husbands and wives bunking and bathing communally over long deployments be balanced by the “fairness” that would result? Should we just accept the spike in divorce, harassment, and violence that will follow until the unenlightened “Neanderthals” self select out?

Would the negative impact on our volunteer and re-enlistment rates be considered acceptable in the midst of two wars?

Men, what do you think is going to happen when a gay soldier is perceived to be attracted to your armed son? Women, what do you think is going to happen when your daughter is required to shower with a group of men?

If we do not support the removal of all gender barriers, are we on the wrong side of history just like those who opposed the integration of blacks in the military? Of course not!

Michael Knapp

Mundelein