Don't Ask, Don't Tell

There has been talk in the last few months of repealing the military Don't Ask, Don't Tell(DADT) policy and to allow open homosexuals to join our U.S. Military. As an Iraqi Veteran and current Army Reserve member I have a strong opinion about this issue.

The Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy basically states that military members should keep their sexual orientation to themselves. It does not say that gays and lesbians can not join the military. They just can't talk about it to others (don't tell). It also states that a soldier's superiors can not investigate someones personal life to find out what their sexual orientation is (don't ask).

I personally feel that there is no place for open homosexuals in our military. Don't get me wrong. I don't have a problem with someone being a homosexual. It is that individuals decision. I just don't want to be unwillingly subjected to it, which will happen if the military DADT policy is abolished. Just the thought of it makes me uncomfortable.

What if a homosexual service member tried to make a move on me while we were in the showers? (by the way, military barracks have community bathrooms) I would probably turn around and punch the guy in the face. Would this be considered self-defense or protecting my personal space? Would I be prosecuted for a Federal Hate Crime because the guy is an open homosexual? Personally, I don't think this should be a problem that I should have to worry about. What if it happened to you? Would you feel comfortable around that soldier? What if you were in a guard tower in Iraq with that soldier? Don't you think that would make you uncomfortable too!!