A reader writes:
I am a military lawyer, and my entire career has been spent working under DADT. My main problem with the policy (which I must continue to carry out it being an order and legislation and all) is what it enables for young, gay servicemembers. I worked as a military defense counsel for three years (2002-05), and I helped several (more than 5 less than 10) Soldiers use the DADT policy to separate from the service. It struck me each time that the Soldier wanted to leave the military before his time was up, and they used the policy as a expeditious means to an self-serving end.
I never saw any evidence that my clients faced threats or intimidation because of their sexual orientation, and the supervisors of my clients (1) didn’t believe there were any problems with the person, their service, or their peers and (2) wanted the Soldiers to stay in the unit. I would do my best to encourage my clients to finish their commitments, but it never worked. (I never said I was a good lawyer.)
Take it from me that most people who join an armed service get to a point in their first couple of years where they would like to quit, and, under DADT, gay servicemembers have an out’ (if you will pardon the pun).
I’m no Republican or conservative, but it seems to me that the conservative position would be to take away this extra and unnecessary right.’