[Mr 5 0]

Homosexuals constitute about 3% of America's population and the majority are male. Naturally, some may want to join the military. That's fine but a problem arises (forgive the pun) when the gay military man becomes interested in another military man - and the other man is hetrosexual. As most military enlistees are between 18 - 22 years old and at their most virile, many are repulsed by homosexuals and become enraged at any attempt by a homosexual to approach them, sexually. The possibility of fights and hard feelings stemming from the gay-straight divide are a real possibility and this leads to a breakdown of military discipline, which is something no military unit can afford, especially now.

Experience has also shown that when you combine young male and female soldiers and sailors, as has happened, jealousies, fights and many pregnancies result, especially shipboard. None of this is good for the services or the individuals involved and a nightmare for officers to deal with, I would assume. This is why the 'No ask, no tell' policy was implemented: to allow homosexuals to join the service. I'm certain many have served with honor and never had an 'incident' but homosexual young men living in the midst of young and virile straight men, often in close quarters, is a breeding ground for trouble. It's fine to be open-minded and tolerant of homosexuals, as many are, but when you're 19 and some gay man in your barracks makes unwanted sexual overtures, that tolerance can evaporate in a moment. Add to that the fact that not every soldier or sailor comes into the service with the same high tolerance of homosexuals others may exhibit and you have the added problem of that latent hostility toward homosexuals just waiting to explode.

While that personal failing isn't a clear reason to bar homosexuals who want to serve from entering military service, the whole concept of the military placing young gay men among young straight men has always seemed somewhat foolish, to me. Same with mixing males and females in close proximity. We already know about the sexual harrassment and rapes some female military personnel have endured, a testament to the problems inherent in mixing people who may be sexually attracted to each other in a military setting. That noted, I doubt all that many homosexual men or women are rushing to enlist, anyway and so far, the 'no ask, no tell' policy seems to be working. It's still a compromise but the best we have for the time being.