Subscribe

The U.S. Army’s success with respect to the integration of the races is a great source of pride for me personally. That success is also cited by some as the basis for imploring repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

However, any comparison of race and homosexuality here is a false and disingenuous one. Race is literally only skin deep. It does not predispose the black, brown, red or yellow soldier to any particular type of behavior. On the other hand, homosexuality and the homosexual lifestyle is considered by many as being conducive to behavior that is unhealthy, unnatural, unclean and contrary to the teachings of many religions. Sentiments such as these can and will be dismissed as blatant homophobia but have to be addressed by leaders who assign self-proclaimed homosexual and heterosexual soldiers to the same sleeping quarters and bathing facilities.

I have known many homosexuals who have served proudly and successfully in the Army during my active-duty career. Their sexuality was not an impediment to their professional success as long as they were discreet. Inversely, I have also known many heterosexuals who have had their professional careers ended or severely damaged by virtue of indiscretion in their sex lives.

The point here is that military service is unique. Unlike our civilian counterparts, it’s not supposed to be about one’s sexual preferences, or one’s feelings, or one’s desires to be true to the nature of one’s most primal sexual urges. It is supposed to be about “selfless service.” It would be a very good thing if our leaders would begin to educate the well-intended but naive, the public at large, and even the people in uniform who sacrifice so much for the privilege to serve on this reality.

Command Sgt. Maj. Adrian L. Liptrot (retired)Stuttgart, Germany

Sign Up for Daily Headlines

Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets from around the world.

Sign Up Now