Gays Weaken Military?

Darren Manzella, a homosexual Army Sergeant, was discharged from duty due to his sexual orientation/lifestlye. Last December, “60 Minutes” featured Manzella in one of their stories pertaining the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.

This Army medic was deployed to Iraq twice and earned a combat medal for rendering treatment under fire. He was open about his sexual orientation and introduced his partner to his Army  friend. He did not hide his lifestyle when his battalion commander initiated an investigation into Manzella’s private life. The investigation’s report claimed that there was no evidence of homosexuality and he was sent back to work. This happened even after Manzella provided photographs and testimony of his relationship with his boyfriend.

Cholene Espinoza, an Air Force Captain who flew combat missions, explained, “Darren is in a critical field. He’s a medic. His commander needs him. He’s a known quantity. He gets along with others. He does what he’s supposed to. He goes above and beyond. Why do I want to lose Darren?”
John McCain recently said gay people in the military represent an “intolerable risk” to unit morale, cohesion, and discipline.

As Steve Benen notes, “Which poses the great risk, Manzella being deployed and serving honorably, or Manzella not being deployed? Which is better for the troops? Which does more to help those in uniform? Which leaves the military stronger, and which leaves it weaker?”

I agree with Benen. This policy is flawed but more importantly it inherently undermines the military. If a qualified individual that is willing to scarify their life in order to defend this country . . . isn’t the bare minimum for the military leave these troops’s personal life alone. Do we discharge individuals for their religious views or their infidelities in their marriage? Is it really supporting the troops when you take away talented services members due to their sexual orientation? No, it weakens our military and sends the wrong message about the “freedom” we promote.