Editorial: Policy’s end paves way for future of military

The 18-year effort to camouflage the presence of gays and lesbians in the U.S. armed forces ended Tuesday. We hardly noticed.

Attitudes toward homosexuals have evolved so far in the years since 1993 that most Americans have moved beyond the biases that kept gays and lesbians from serving their country.

“Don’t ask, don’t tell” was an ill-conceived half-measure President Clinton hoped would assuage gays and lesbians who had rallied to his campaign in 1992, but not provoke a backlash among military personnel, or social conservatives. It failed in both regards.

An estimated 14,000 gays and lesbians were forced out of the military for violating the rule. Some had incredibly valuable skills, proficiency in languages like Pashto, for example, badly needed during the now decade-long United States campaign in Afghanistan. The military spent who-knows-what teaching them those skills.

No matter. Out the door they went.

One of those was U.S. Air Force Maj. Margaret Witt, of Spokane, a flight nurse discharged in 2004 despite her medals and the overwhelming support of the other members of her unit. She did not go quietly, instead pursuing reinstatement through the courts. Witt won, but last year accepted retirement with full benefits and amended discharged documents in lieu of her former position.

It was the Air Force’s loss, one of thousands self-inflicted by other branches of the military.

Under President Barack Obama, repeal of this policy has followed sometimes confusing, if not contradictory, paths. Sworn to uphold the law, the president has had the U.S. Department of Justice challenge court rulings that would have overturned the policy. Simultaneously, he insisted it was Congress’ responsibility to repeal the law, not his to selectively enforce or litigate it.

In December, he signed repeal legislation, but the change could not take effect until the Pentagon certified that openly gay and lesbian service members would not compromise the readiness of U.S. forces, and the various branches wrote necessary regulations. They said in July they would be ready Tuesday.

Some soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guard members will not be happy with the change. The Marine commandant was blunt about his concerns that gay Marines would disrupt the cohesiveness of units. Officers throughout the military will certainly be mindful, and watchful, for potential hazing, or worse.

So too will gay and lesbian groups, as well as those who want the ranks opened for transgender individuals.

Much bigger battles will soon eclipse the debate over sexuality. The budget squeeze will not spare the Pentagon, and the focus will shift to infighting among the services and congressmen over what program bleeds least and what weapons remain in the arsenal.

That’s where discussions over U.S. readiness for future wars should be, not on the social and sexual prejudices of the past.