THE U. S. MILITARY'S, “DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL” POLICY

The U. S. Military's, “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy

ABSTRACT

The new laws and regulations associated with homosexuality in US military service came into effect in 1993. It reflected a compromise shown in the policy. The name given to this compromised policy was denoted as "don't ask, don't tell". This compromised policy holds a specific position in the US army, an army which has over the years shown an inclination towards indulging in same sex acts. There is every possibility that this act whould generate an unacceptable risk to the high standards of military capability, whose essence are; discipline, morale, good order and maintained unit cohession. This is not a law, just a policy under which service members are neither allowed to discuss nor they will be asked about their “same sex orientation”. Service members are not prevented by the law about being questioned of their sexual deed or needs. This compromise notwithstanding, the issue has remained politically contentious. Prior to the 1993 compromise, the number of individuals discharged for homosexuality was generally declining. Since that time, the number of discharges for same-sex conduct has generally increased until 2001. However, analysis of these data shows no statistically significant difference in discharge rates for these two periods. In recent years, several Members of Congress have expressed interest in amending "don't ask, don't tell." At least two bills that would repeal the law and replace it with a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation-H.R. 1283 and S. 3065-have been introduced in the 111th Congress.

Table of Contents

Introduction4

Research Questions4

Background4

Arguments against the Policy6

Facts about Don't Ask, Don't Tell6

Policies of Don't Ask, Don't Tell7

Harassment8

Documentation for Discharge for Homosexual Conduct9

Approaching the Command9

Pressure on a Control That Does Not Respond10

Kind of Separation10

Advanced Scheme in 199311

Conclusion11

Repeal of Policy11

The U. S. Military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy

Introduction

In 1993, after many months of study, debate, and political controversy, Congress passed and President Clinton signed legislation establishing a revised policy concerning homosexuality in the armed forces. The new legislation pondered a compromise considering the U.S. military's policy towards members of the Armed Forces who employ in same-sex behavior. This compromise, colloquially concerned to as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT)," applies that the presence in the armed forces of individuals who establish a tendency or intent to employ in same-sex acts would create an insufferable risk to the high standards of team spirit, good order and discipline, and unit cohesiveness which are the core of military capability. Service members are not to be necessitated about, nor allowed to discuss, their sexual orientation. This compromise notwithstanding, the concern has stayed both politically and legally contentious. (Korb, 2010)

Research Questions

What is U. S. Military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy?

Should Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy be repealed?

Background

During the War of Independence was punished sodomy, and then defined as oral or anal sex with dishonorable expulsion. The first record of the removal is 1778, when Lieutenant Gotthold Frederick Enslin was expelled with disgrace, with the approval of George Washington, on charges of sodomy ...