Gates Lays Down The Law To Marines

I can't say that I usually agree with Defense Secretary Robert Gates. In fact, I usually disagree with him, especially when he is talking about the wars in Afghanistan or Iraq, or the defense budget. But in his latest trip to Afghanistan I'll have to admit that I am proud of the unequivocal answer he gave a Marine sergeant about homosexuals in the military.

As you probably know, the failed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" program in the United States military has been discontinued, and the military is now in the process of implementing new rules which will allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. This is a very good thing, and I appreciate how the Pentagon and the Defense Department have jumped on board with the new rules.

When Gates was talking to a group of Marines in Afghanistan, a Marine sergeant asked him if Marines who did not like the change could opt out of the military instead of serving alongside openly homosexual troops. It was a stupid question and not worthy of the vast majority of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines serving this country. Here is Gates answer:

"No, You'll have to complete your ... enlistment just like everybody else."


"The reality is that you don't all agree with each other on your politics, you don't agree with each other on your religion, you don't agree with each other on a lot of things. But you still serve together. And you work together. And you look out for each other. And that's all that matters."


"If we do this right, nothing will change. You will still have to abide by the same rules of behavior, the same discipline, the same respect for each other that has been the case through all the history of the Marine Corps."


Thank you Mr. Secretary. It is good to see someone in our government standing up for equality.