Times have changed in the few years from Gen. Peter Pace’s term as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The conservative years of the George W. Bush administration are over and a new, younger generation is gaining a voice. The same generation that elected President Barack Obama is the generation that can see the value in people regardless of a person’s beliefs or orientations.

How many much-needed Arabic translators have been kicked out of the military for being homosexual? Was the reduction in our ability to understand the enemy and fight the war on terror worth it?

I don’t think our leaders are too worried about being politically wrong or worried about their career ambitions. They are just from a time when fundamentalist, evangelical Christians were in power, both in the military and civilian world. The upcoming generations will find ways to make our nation better, our military stronger, and our presence in the world more positive. They will do something that will make a difference, rather than pray.

Staff Sgt. Robert KalalOsan Air Base, South Korea