The Role of Morals in the Military: Any Room?

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace recently criticized the role of gays in the military. In a radio address last week, Pace termed gay acts as immoral and that gays should not serve in the military. I find these remarks rather ironic, as the U.S. military is in severe need of bodies for service in our “war against terror” in Iraq. Even presidential hopeful Senator Sam Brownback agreed with Pace’s remarks by sending President Bush a letter of support (Bush has no coattails to ride, so God only knows why he is kissing up).

The current administration needs to understand that this “moral crusade” has boundaries, one of those boundaries being the military. Everyone has the God given right to believe what they want, but what does being gay have to do with someone’s ability to serve in the armed forces? I really do not see the logic in Pace’s comments when I put it into that context. I do not doubt his abilities as the top general in the military by any means, but when you are in the military your views on “moral issues” need to “stay in the closet,” Peter.

The last time I checked, the U.S. has been involved in a war of attrition for the past five years and it appears as if “the terrorists” are doing a knock up job of outlasting us. General Pace needs to worry about commanding the military, not commanding the views of the “Christian right.” For all I care he can pull a Wesley Clark by retiring and running for president, but he has yet to retire. As one can probably tell I am all for gay’s serving in the military. I am not concerned with someone’s sexual preference as a measure of someone’s ability to serve.