We need to reinstate Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Mutual Admiration SocietyThank you for your kind words concerning my debate skills. I certainly feel the same about you. When I instigated this debate I was hopeful that whoever accepted the challenge would argue their side strongly and passionately, I have not been disappointed. I believe we have each benefited from having a strong debate opponent, it has forced us both to up our games.ResponseI wanted to respond to a few of your specific arguments and then move on to closing arguments.You stated,"Let me be clear: I am not arguing that the vast majority of the sexual crimes in the military are not committed by gays, but it should be noted that gays are not the only source of the problem."We both agree that gays are not the only source of the problem, but we also both agree that they are responsible for the vast majority of sexual crimes in the military. I realize that a small portion of the sexual assaults may fall into the category of hazing, however, I believe common sense dictates that not many heterosexual men engage in homosexual assaults. In any event, the "Don't ask, Don't tell" policy prohibited "homosexual acts", under discharge code 257. As a result it really does not matter if the person committing the male on male assault identifies as, or admits to being homosexual, the engagement in a homosexual act itself was grounds for discharge.http://usmilitary.about.com...You had also indicated " commanders already often send their friends and family members on missions involving danger" This is not correct, while brothers can serve together they can not be of different ranks. The military established this rule to avoid the conflict of interests that would exist between brothers, this would apply also to homosexuals. I have listed the link below where that question was asked, and then answered by MSgt Jim Hall USMC (Ret.).https://answers.yahoo.com...Question: Can two brothers be in the Marines at the same time?I am thinking about joining the Marines (probably through OCS) while my brother will be enlisting at the end of this year. Other than the two of us there are no children in the family.Answer: Second, yes, you and your brother can serve at the same time. Two brothers can theoretically even serve in the same unit together. Married couples, brother and sister, I've even seen father/son. In your case it would be different though. If you go OCS and your brother goes the enlisted route, you would be prevented from being put in a position where you could be in your brother's chain of command (you couldn't be his boss).MSgt Jim Hall USMC (Ret.) · 7 years agoClosing argumentIn Round 3 I laid out the argument for why the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy was necessary in the first place, and why we should reinstate it. In my concluding remarks I will lay out the argument of why the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy is not only needed, but also an extremely effective way to deal with the epidemic of male on male assaults.In civilian environments, sexual matters can be looked at in shades of gray. Sexual flirting, sexual relationships, tensions, breakups and reconciliations are all part of daily life.The military however is a unique institution that cannot afford these distractions. The mission of the Military is to kill and not be killed. This mission requires absolute, black-and-white rules.The “don’t ask don’t tell policy” was essentially a zero tolerance policy on homosexuality. It stated that anyone who engaged in, or attempted to engage in homosexual acts, or admitted to, or was discovered to be homosexual was ineligible to serve. http://girightshotline.org...This policy worked effectively because it nipped problems in the bud. Any evidence of homosexuality was grounds for immediate dismissal, this prevented sexual flirting, tensions, and relationships from being established. Any sexual advances were stopped from escalating into sexual harassment and sexual assaults. It eliminated any ambiguity about sexual conduct in the military setting. These clear and concise rules of conduct served the military well for over 200 years, and their elimination has led to an epidemic of male on male assaults.As I have previously stated, homosexual Americans, like all Americans love their country. You and I both agree that homosexuals have served with great distinction. I further believe that homosexuals who kept their sexual orientation private under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t tell” policy, in fact served with special distinction. Not only did they fulfill all the requirements of their heterosexual counterparts, they undertook a special sacrifice of keeping their sexual orientation private. I believe this sacrifice is required for maintaining a strong Military, free of sexual distractions. I contend we must ask the same sacrifice of today's generation of homosexuals that we asked of previous generations. It is a great sacrifice that we demand, but it is one that puts Country before self. It is the incredibly patriotic thing to do.