Crystal M. Jones
Dr. Edwards
CO-220
March 22, 2001
Introduction
Suppose, for just a moment, that you are a citizen of a war-ridden third world country. In your struggle, the United States has come to your aid, and thousands of their soldiers are giving of their time and risking their lives for your sake. As you and your children hid and starve and hunt for shelter and pray for peace and for an escape, they have come to your rescue. You turn to hand your frightened child to safety in the arms of an American soldier, into the arms of this world's trusted defenders of freedom. Do you hesitate? Is there anything about this soldier that prevents you from preserving your family's lives? No. But- this soldier is black. No. He is still your rescuer. But- this soldier is a woman. No. She is still doing her duty. But- this soldier is gay. No. He is still saving your lives.
The following is a discussion of current federal military policies and how they encourage discrimination in the U.S. military. Although great progress has been made in the area of equality, especially concerning racial issues, there are still discriminatory policies that are detrimental to both the soldiers and the U.S. force. Specifically, the focus of this paper will be the discrimination against women and gays in the military, what can be done to correct the problem, who will benefit from this progress, and what you can do if you are interested in furthering this cause.
What is wrong with the status quo?
According to Women in the Militaryby E.A. Blacksmith the rise in the percentage of women in the military is directly related to legal and political movements in the past thirty years. In 1967, ceilings on the grade (rank) and number of military women were eliminated. The male draft ended in 1973 resulting in a force consisting entirely of volunteers and in 1976 the military academies were open to women (Blacksmith, 1992). In a shrinking and volunteer U.S. military, women are a vital force. The U.S. Army, once 8.3 million strong, now has less than 500,000 soldiers from a nation of almost 300 million. More than 70,000 of those soldiers are women (Modern Military, 1998). As time passes, more and more job categories are open to women. However, combat specialties, the most controversial issue of women in the military, remain unavailable. As the present time, women are not permitted to enter a MOS (job specialization) whose primary focus is combat, such as infantry, Special Forces, or military positions. And although most women do not desire these positions (Women Soldiers, 1998), many are capable of performing these duties. The main reason this issue is so hotly debated is that promotion to higher officer's positions in the military usually requires combat experience; thus there is a glass ceiling for women in the military (Miller, 2000).
The second populationof soldiers who suffer discrimination are homosexuals. In 1992 the newly elected President Clinton, who had promised a complete lift on the ban of homosexuals in the military, replaced the previous ban with one just as harmful- the "don't ask, don't tell" policy (Dateline, 1997). This policy, still in place today, states that a confession of homosexuality will result in an immediate dishonorable discharge, regardless of the soldier's previous military service record. In the absence of a voluntary confession, an investigation may be ordered if there is enough "evidence for suspicion" concerning the soldier's sexual orientation. Since the conception of this policy, the numbers of soldiers dishonorably discharged on the basis of sexual orientation has only increased (Shawver, 2000). A sort of witch-hunt exists today in our military.
Many problems result from these forms of discrimination. Our already limited military resources suffer when female soldiers cannot perform tasks of which they are capable, and when gay or lesbian soldiers are dismissed compleetely. In essence, the strength of our country itself is compromised more and more daily as more and more soldiers are not permitted to serve becuase of discrimination.
The soldier suffers as well. Those against women or homosexuals in the military say that morale would be adverely affected. And yet the condemning attitude the military policies themselves promote damage the morale of many individual soldiers who fear being denied the right to serve his or her country becuase of their gender or orientation. There are also rights denied the soldier when they are discharged for these reasons. The educational benefits the military provides are taken away from them. The training and life experience they would gain are taken away, as well as their hard-earned right to earn a living. Finally, they are robbed of honor and patriotism by a country that has ungratefull rejected their voluntary service.
Solution
How can these issues be remedied? Fist the current "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which has proven itself a failure after nine years of implementation, needs to be replaced with a new, more open one. The current restrictions on sexual activity that exist for heterosexuals (such as celibacy during training) would remain, but the new policy would not condemn, punish, or discharge a soldier solely on the basis of their sexual orientation. COncerning the discrimination of women, those female soldiers who can successfully meet the same demands and requirements as her male counterparts should be allowed to volunteer for and purse combat job specializations and experience. The requirements for these positions should not be reduced, graded, or weakened, but the door should be opened to them for any soldier who is willing and qualified, including women. There are those who have personal convictions that cause them to disagree with such changes of policy; however, their own personal convictions should not prevent an American citizen from their right to serve and to enjoy the benefits offered by the U.S. military.
Benefits
The promotion of policies that eliminate discrimination and encourage equality would benefit both the soldiers themselves and the nation as a whole. Individually, women and homosexuals would have the equal right to defend and fight, to the benefits of military service, and to treatment that is both fair and respectful. Soldiers would be able to perform their duty with pride and competence, without fear of dishonor. These policies would promote equality not on ly in th emilitary but also in the country as a whole, allowing a greater millitary force with a boosted morale.
Actions
If you are interested in suppporting these causes, you have to take action as those soldiers who are discriminated against are not free to campaign for or defend themselves. Several websites that provide easily accessible ways to show your support to the gay and lesbian military community are www.glbt.org, www.planetout.com, www.pflag.com. You could also email both you local legislators depending on the district you live in. This is also a good way to show your support for women who want to serve in combat for promotional experience. Also, be sure to vite, and take these issues into consideration when making your polling decisions. However, the most effective element in solving these social problems is a greater understanding of the issues themselves and making the American public aware of them. So if you have any interest in furthering the causes discussed in this paper, don't underestimate the ways in which they actually do affect you. Before you walk away ask yourself: Is there anything about a soldier that would make you deny his offer to save your freedom, or your life?
