Frontlines: The Latest from OutServe-SLDN

The Urgent Need for Common Sense

“The number of U.S. troops diagnosed by the military with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) jumped nearly 50 percent in 2007 over the previous year,” the Washington Post’s Ann Scott Tyson reported this morning, citing Pentagon data. The dramatic increase is concurrent with longer and repeated combat tours that increasing numbers of men and women are required to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan. As the United States continues to wage war on two fronts, the need for military personnel increases. As a consequence, the military has taken extraordinary steps to expand its recruiting universe and retain trained service members. Convicted felons are granted moral waivers, soldiers with serious medical conditions are sent back to the Middle East, educational standards have fallen as signing bonuses have increased – all in an effort to find enough men and women to fight our country’s battles. And yet the U.S. Congress does not allow the armed forces to recruit one particular class of Americans, simply because they are lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Because of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” 12,000 gay service members have been dismissed out of hand. Those who remain in uniform must carry the extra burden of extended tours, more frequent deployments, and the increased risks of physical and psychological damage. When will common sense prevail? When will Congress repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?” Click here to urge your member of Congress to join the movement to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Everyone benefits when everyone is included. -Victor Maldonado

Labels: recruiting, waivers

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05-28-08