Strength in Diversity: Rethinking Don't Ask, Don't Tell

During the State of the Union Address late last month, President Barack Obama announced that he will work with Congress to revise the U.S. Military's Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) policy, which has been in place since 1993. The law acknowledges that gay and lesbian personnel can be dismissed from the military should their sexual preference be revealed.
 
YPNation asked U.S. Navy Lieutenant and YPNation contributor, Matt Persiani, to share his thoughts on the current policy and the review now taking place.
 
At face value, what are your impressions of the current DADT policy?
When I was asked for my thoughts on the military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy, I believed I, as a military officer, would have no problem; my thoughts would flow freely. But the more I reflected on my feelings, and the more I dwelled on how to put my thoughts in writing, the more difficult the writing process became. After a couple of lengthy drafts carefully dancing around the topic (to make sure I did not upset anyone or put my future career in the military at risk), I realized the answer is not that complicated.
 
As an officer and a leader, all I care about is accomplishing my mission and the safety and welfare of those who serve with me. And in that respect, the DADT policy works. No one is told they cannot join the military, and all U.S. citizens have equal opportunity to serve their country. Why do I need to know your sexual preference? I don’t care if you are gay, what your race is, who your parents are, or even if you are from Mars. Get your job done, execute orders to the best of your ability and help the unit accomplish its mission. This is what matters, not a person's sexual preference. What somebody does on their own time away from the workplace is their business.
 
Do you agree with the President's desire to change the policy?
From the President’s State of the Union Address to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Tweet message, it is obvious our leaders are dedicated to changing the DADT policy. And this is where the ongoing debate about DADT should be -- not among military personnel, but among our elected leaders and military commanders. I have complete confidence they will bring about the right change not because the media wants it, but because our leadership deems it necessary. And I believe they will do so while keeping this country’s best interests at heart.
 
Do you feel that the revision of this policy could have a positive effect on our country and more specifically, military life?
Just as race and gender have nothing to do with a person's ability to fight, nor does his or her sexual preference. Social engineering is nothing new to the military. The integration of different races, and the current integration of males and females throughout the ranks have been major successes and we are a far stronger nation for it.
 
Do you foresee a difficult acclimation for military leaders and non-gay personnel should this policy change?
Relieving the military of the DADT policy will potentially allow service members to serve while being true to themselves and only worry about being judged on their professional merits. Of course, society and, more specifically, the military do not operate without bias or emotion so the change will not be easy. This is just human nature. But given a chance, a new policy could prove effective as both society and the military evolve to become more accepting.
 
So why now?
To continue to be the best military in the world, our leaders need to look to the future to find the next great technology or how to recruit the best and most qualified manpower. The Armed Forces are stretched thin combating terrorism on multiple fronts around the globe; the military cannot afford to deny recruitment from any talent pool.
 
On a smaller media stage, women continue to make strides, too. Within the next year, women will finally be able to serve on board U.S. Navy submarines. This is a huge step forward for the "silent service" and for the evolution of integrating women into the Armed Forces. Change rarely comes easily, but strength does come with diversity.
 
As American society continues to evolve, so should the military. Adapt and overcome--it’s what we do, perhaps better than any other professional organization in the world. And so, what better time for the change of the DADT policy than now? Bring the change on--it will ultimately only make the U.S. Military stronger.  
 
Interested in reading more from Matt Persiani? Take a look at this piece on why we do not need to bring back the military draft.
 
(Photo credit: NewsHour; C.C. 2.0)