Yet that seems like the same argument that kept the American army first all-white, then segregated. The desegregation of the military was difficult, yet in retrospect worth doing. Indeed, it was. However, trying to draw an analogy between the questions of allowing blacks to serve and allowing homosexuals to serve is invalid. There are two entirely different central issues involved.
Sexual orientation is perhaps the most profound of human behavioral characteristics.
Comparison of the two is a convenient but invalid argument. Also, the military itself has never viewed those two questions as being equal. One difference is that gays have always served in the military. So have people who have been guilty of all make and manner of criminal activity. However, that, in and of itself, does not justify their continued service.