Pentagon surveys troops on DADT (again)

[TheMercenary]

Wow, I am surprised this guy got away with this. It was not that long ago. I see an early retirement for him in the next 30 days. The problem is they are going to have to find a new captain for the ship before it leaves.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/...-due-to-videos

[Lamplighter]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Wow, I am surprised this guy got away with this. It was not that long ago. I see an early retirement for him in the next 30 days. The problem is they are going to have to find a new captain for the ship before it leaves.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/...-due-to-videos

Merc, your comments and link must not refer to the post above it,
but are starting a new drift, unrelated to DADT.

If it is DADT, I don't see the connection.
If not, the link shows the military has still some foolish officers in command.

Since I hope and believe the repeal of DADT will be lead
to changing hearts and minds in both the military and civilian life,
I'm starting to wonder which minority group will be the next
to become the targets of the bigots.

I'm sure the film industry can come up with new epithets
for the DI's to use in their "boot camp" training scenes.
Then we will have another way to age-date war movies.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

I'm sure the film industry can come up with new epithets for the DI's to use in their "boot camp" training scenes.

It's maggots, not faggots.

[ZenGum]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

It's maggots, not faggots.

I feel a bit sorry for Honors; he has done a lot of excellent service, and had he been no more than a junior officer these videos would get him a moderate smack on the wrist. But you just can't have a 2IC or a captain behaving like that. I'd like to see him resign "voluntarily" rather than be pushed.

[Lamplighter]

Sexbon, thank you for such a well-composed reply.

[BrianR]

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

Since I hope and believe the repeal of DADT will be lead
to changing hearts and minds in both the military and civilian life,
I'm starting to wonder which minority group will be the next
to become the targets of the bigots.

Short answer...transsexuals.

[Lamplighter]

Yes Brian, I know what you mean.

But for the military, and military justice system in particular, the repeal of DADT should help there too because the repeal takes away the legs that the bigots stand on.

For civilian life, not so much... yet

[Lamplighter]

NPR has a report on what the military is currently doing in regards to
training operations as required by the repeal of DADT.
Sec Gates wants the training completed by the end of the year,
and others in command feel it may even be completed by Spring.
Once training is complete, the President and the Sec of Defense must certify that the military can operate with gay/lesbian serving opening.

Here is a 4 min audio of the NPR report.

[ZenGum]

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

... must certify that the military can operate with gay/lesbian serving opening.

I think you meant "serving openly".

Or maybe you didn't...

[TheMercenary]

It is related because here we have a major commander publicly making biased and derogatory remarks on a public ships tv channel against gay and women. It was out of line. But yet he got away with it for quite some time with no obvious repercussions. It is completely relevant to the thread.

[Lamplighter]

OK, gotcha

[TheMercenary]

When you have attitudes like that coming from the command it will breed violence and support those who have really bigoted attitudes towards the needed change. Further it may alienate those who would other wise step up and come forward when needed to support their fellow sailors, who they themselves may not be gay, but who might otherwise be afraid, because of peer and command pressure to not do the right thing. If the commander is publicly making derogatory remarks against gays the last thing a person is going to do is go against that commanders feelings by reporting or supporting those around them. Command Climate is everything in the military. It makes or breaks organizations.

[TheMercenary]

"I see an early retirement for him in the next 30 days."

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/01/04...bright-future/

[Lamplighter]

I've not followed this story on Honors.
If the movie event was several years ago:

1) Why was he even promoted from 2nd to 1st command (May 2010) ?

2) Who is over-riding his promotion and forcing his "retirement" ?

3) Does it link directly to the repeal of DADT, or is that coincidental ?

[sexobon]

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

I've not followed this story on Honors.
If the movie event was several years ago:

1) Why was he even promoted from 2nd to 1st command (May 2010) ?

2) Who is over-riding his promotion and forcing his "retirement" ?

3) Does it link directly to the repeal of DADT, or is that coincidental ?

1) The incident wasn't vigorously contested; so, the promotion went through based upon the remainder of his service record. At the time, gay sailors contesting it could have been construed as violating DADT, straight sailors contesting it as ombudsmen could have been construed as failing to report a violation (guilt by association), and straight sailors contesting it autonomously could have been construed as supporting what was then considered to be a detriment to military service. No one has a right to serve in the military and no one has a right to a security clearance (which may be required to hold federal job positions both military and civilian). Security clearances are very political.

2) His retirement will be brought about by all those in his chain of command and political oversight committees who are concerned with military personnel recruitment and retention. Captain Honor has become a PR nightmare.

3) Our all volunteer military is overextended. Prerequisites for military service changes under such circumstances: age requirements are broadened, education requirements are lowered, some criminal backgrounds are waivered, females work in close combat roles ... etc. The implementation of DADT and its eventual repeal come about because of neither kind heartedness nor fairness by the military hierarchy and politicos. It came about just as the other changes and waivers did, because they desperately needed skills that are possessed by some who would not otherwise be eligible for military service. Captain Honor's command style became an obstacle to that objective through the specific topics he made light of and the timing of the DADT repeal.