Question about gays and the draft.

[Bunny]

This has probably already been asked, but in the event of a return to the draft, can a man just declare himself homosexual and thus be excluded from military service? Can it really be that simple? Is there a down side to this?

[terrya]

1. They will HAVE to suspend "DADT"

Given our new, exciting "pre-emptive" foreign policy, where we might be in Syria, Iran, etc, etc. the military is going to need every warm body they can get. No, despite how loathsome Rummy and his generals are about those "icky" gay men in THEIR military, they're going to have to drop Don't Ask Don't Tell. A gay man (or presumably, a lesbian) won't be able to use homosexuality as an excuse to get out of military service.

[Deja Q]

2. I'm hoping they'll have me provide PROOF of being homosexual!

:D :9 :bounce: :party:

[Bunny]

5. That's funny!

How could they prove you weren't gay? :evilgrin: Have beautiful women parade around in bikinis and see if you were "interested"? LOL

[mlawson]

6. I had to go for the physical during Vietnam.

Scared shitless, was I. But getting out for being gay wasn't easy, and I didn't try it (even though I am). I remember seeing three guys sitting apart from us, on a (Group W?) bench. We were told that 'Those men are trying to evade serving to protect their country', though he didn't specify why. Everyone assumed they were claiming t be gay. They looked totally traumatized, and the sergeant was winking and nodding at the rest of us, to jeer and catcall them. I didn't, of course. I do not know what happened to them, since I was a but traumatized myself. But in the very last phase of the exam, they found that I had a hernia. :bounce:

As I was grinning ear to ear, putting my clothes back on, a sergeant came over and said, "Now, Son, you could have an operation, and get in in a few weeks!! College boy like you, we could make you a 2nd Lieutenant!!!" I looked at him as if he were utterly beyond help, and ran out the front door, not daring to look back!

[Bunny]

8. Well, shaming may have worked 40 years ago.

But don't you feel we've moved beyond that, what with gay pride and all? And, assuming they don't suspend DADT, how could they let you in, against their expressed policy? I don't know, I'm just wondering...

[mlawson]

9. Nah, it wouldn't be that way now.

I guess. The officers would be under *some* pressure to keep the proceedings civil. But some inductees would react poorly, I suspect, especially those who passed. Human nature being what it is...

BTW, my experience was in 1972, not 40 years ago.

But the same question would prevail even now: how does one PROVE he is gay??? I imagine that nowadays, many, many guys will think nothing of trying to get out, that way, whether they are gay, or not.

[Bunny]

10. Yeah, I really can't see a downside to it.

And sorry about the forty year thing. I guess my head was stuck in the sixties, apparently the very early sixties!

[Scott Lee]

16. Yeah, it's called the "Wood Test".

arf arf.

[THUNDER HANDS]

17. remember the scene in History of the World Part I

He's no unic!

:D

[Lady Freedom]

11. HypnoToad!

Bad boy! :evilgrin:

[La_Serpiente]

3. They will probably just give you a desk job

but if you are really gay, then you would have to write an letter stating your homosexuality and the entire public would have to know.

However, if you are gay, you also shouldn't say that you engaged in homosexual acts. Not for the fact that it shouldn't be shared, but something might happen if it is shared. Someone just wrote that to me, so I am not sure what would happen. I don't think they can criminalize it though.

[sleipnir]

4. NO, They're stop DADT, kinda ironic though

How we could get a civil right victory during the time of the greatest civil liberties destruction.

[Scott Lee]

14. Whoa...where did you hear this?

Are they doing this quietly or something? This really surprises me, as it was the conservative wing of the military that intimidated Clinton into the DADT policy.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

7. You'd have a better chance of getting a deferment because of...

your anti war stance. You'd be able to be a reporter or an office guy if you don't agree...What the hell is that phrase I'm looking for?
Duckie

[travisleit01]

12. Conscientious Objector? n/t

[YellowRubberDuckie]

18. THANK YOU!!!

It just wasn't coming to my brain!
Duckie

[JackDaniel1216]

13. If we get a Democrat in the whitehouse

rather i should say 'when' we get a dem in the white house next year i doubt the gay policy will be around much longer

[Scott Lee]

15. I want to see a pledge by all Dem candidates....

that says they will not institute a draft if elected.

How interesting to see who would actually say such a thing.