The Commandant of the Marine Corp, General James T. Conway testified in Congress about his views on the current ban on gays serving openly in the military. As reported by ABC news:
Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James T. Conway
(Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images)Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway told the Senate Armed Services Committee Thursday that he does not think the law should be changed.
"At this point, I think that the current policy works," Conway said. "My best military advice to this committee, to the secretary, to the president would be to keep the law such as it is."
Conway said he looks at the issue strictly from the point of view of whether changing the law would "enhance the war-fighting capabilities of the United States Marine Corps by allowing homosexuals to openly serve."
Earlier this month, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, presented the administration's proposal that Congress repeal "don't ask, don't tell". At the time, Mullen said he supported changing the policy because letting gays serve openly in the military would be "the right thing to do."
I like Secretary Gates' plan for a year-long study of military attitudes within the ranks before Congress proceeds with repealing the law, but it's more than about attitudes, it is about military effectiveness. I mean will we need separate showering and sleeping facilities for gay and non gay soldiers, sailors and marines? Do some jobs need to be restricted from openly gay service members? The military needs time to figure out these answers.
No comments:
Post a Comment