Earlier this year, the Obama Administration ended the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy implemented by then-President Clinton back in the early 90’s. Once all the hand wring was done and the action was complete, the military went about ordering sensitivity training for the VAST, HUGE, INCREDIBLY LARGE percentage of military members who are not gay. This training has been ongoing since late this past winter.
It seems that the gay activists, who more than likely have never, ever, or would even consider serving in the military are not happy with the pace of this indoctrination. They pretty much filed a lawsuit immediately after the new law went into effect in an attempt to allow gays to serve right NOW. Now it seems that a US Appeals Court in California (that says it all) has order the end of DADT and to allow gays to serve openly.
We all get it. The law has been passed that allows these people to serve openly in the military. What you gay rights activist don’t get, or don’t really care to get, it that you are dealing with an institution that has opposed gays serving since the dawn of time. On top of that, it is a conservative institution with a very large percentage of personnel who have deeply held beliefs against the gay lifestyle. The military leadership’s answer to overcome these deep convictions is a series of training briefs that cover how the new law will be enacted, how commanders are to handle difficulties, and how the EXCEEDINGLY HUGE majority are to conduct themselves in proper military fashion when given a direct order.
So rather than let the process work its way through the ranks, the gay activists have rammed this new law down the throats of the military personnel. I don’t know if they realize, or care one wit, that doing something like this is only going to build resentment within the ranks. That resentment will be reflected in the treatment openly gay personnel will receive. The ordered indoctrination was to let the folks know of the consequences of ill-treatment towards the openly gay service member. If the training is not allowed to be completed before gays begin to serve, then the consequences cannot be enforced.
The folks serving know what a direct order is and this new law is a direct order. It doesn’t mean they like one little bit. But they are professionals and will do what is required of them. But if the gay activist were hoping for some sort of smooth transition, this certainly is not the way to go about it. I do realize these gay activists have an agenda to keep and more than likely they could care less about the feelings of the men and women who are currently serving who are opposed to the gay lifestyle. But to completely ignore how these men and women feel is treading into territory that is concerning.
(h/t: Drudge Report)
(h/t: Drudge Report)
As those of us who served during and right after the VietNam war and during the Travis AFB riots of the 70s recall, human relations training (called Rap and Dap by some) was a slow and painful process... then the follow on sessions to integrate females into the ranks was excruciating. But it seems like every generation has to learn their own lessons the hard way.
ReplyDeleteGreat Blog Righty. Keep up the good work.
Idaho Anon
Idaho Anon, As I pointed out in the post, I had the same kind of experience early on in my career. By the end of the 80's the Social Actions had morphed into the EEO program. Since they didn't really have any dragons to slay, they were much more in the background. But with thsi decision, I have a feeling they are going to rise again to protect the minority at the expense of the majority. And like the old days, you will be guilty until proven innocent. Glad I don't have to deal with it
ReplyDelete