I’m a recently retired Marine gunnery sergeant currently living in Fayetteville, N.C., and honestly I could care less if gays serve in the military. But I know all the problems openly allowing them in would create.

But in my mind this isn’t even about that. To me, this is about good military order. How exactly does Maj. Margaret Witt (“Judge: Reinstate gay Air Force officer,” article, Sept. 26) think she can lead when she doesn’t follow orders she doesn’t agree with. If she were to return to active duty, any subordinate could be expected to not follow her orders if they didn’t agree with them on the belief of “what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.” I know I would have no respect for an “officer” who didn’t lead by example.

Witt rolled the dice and willfully disobeyed an order, was caught and summarily removed from the service. I know her oath upon becoming an officer read “I will obey the orders of those appointed over me” or similar verbiage that includes all orders — even (or probably especially) the ones she doesn’t agree with.

One day maybe the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy will be removed. But at the time she willfully disregarded the standing order and was punished for it. It’s actually appalling that this has turned into a “gay vs. straight” issue when what she was clearly discharged from the military for was her breaking of a standing order. Just because she doesn’t agree with it doesn’t give her the right to not follow it.