If gays are accepted in military, what about their "partners"... will they be eligible for the same benefits as dependents of straight service members?

Traditionally open homosexuals have been restricted from military service for their own protection. At Ft. Campbell, a few years ago, a gay (or suspected gay) soldier was beaten to death by his fellow soldiers.

In today's permissive society homosexual behavior may be more acceptable. However, I served in Airborne units with soldiers who considered themselves to be the nation's elite, and who frowned on aberrant behavior. I suspect similar attitudes prevail in the Marine Corps.

As bad an idea as putting women on submarines.

Are there not enough supposed and real reasons making our troops feel put upon without adding this highly questionable expectation to the pile? No one should be surprised when, a year or five years or ten years, down the line discipline becomes a daily challenge and morale has dropped off the charts. A question I've not heard is "What happens if this politically- correct experiment does not work?" Who will stand up then and suggest, nay, demand, a correction and a change?

In high stress situations people act to reduce their stress in abrupt and uncoventional manners. In vietnam unpopular or undesirable officers sometimes found themselves sleeping with an explosive device - it was called "fragging". I would postulate that no amount of "mitagation" short of banning gays from combat units would protect them - particularly if they were extroveted and "in your face" about being gay.

1) News flash for Zeke: they already do!

2) Johnny McCian can't tell me there weren't any gay Navy men on his aircraft carrier, or at any of his Naval Air Stations.

3) The Military reflects our society as a whole. Gays are an integral part of our society. So, your problem is??

Perhaps, it is time for Mr. Murchison to join the mainstream of America, and admit to himself that what he sees before him is the real thing.

J. J., that's a real good comment. Especially your last line. It seems to me that, sociologically speaking, sexual behavior is a private matter. Very private. It is when people who are wound too tight start getting in my face about their "righteous cause" and their "justifiable grievances" (after all, life is not fair, so get over it) that I no longer want to be around them. The more I hear about their social ambivalence and sexual confusion and the prejudice and mistreatment they face, the less I respect them. And, from there, it's a real short step to dismissing them altogether as cranks, crackpots and single-issue fanatics to be endured, not endeared.

Actually, I think the desegregation of the services after WWII is an excellent example of how this one will play out. So there were both black and white units in the service before, so what? There are both gays and heterosexuals serving side-by-side NOW. The issue of a flamboyant gay rights activist joining the service to flout the new rules, will be dealt with in the same way that hippies were dealt with in boot camp during Viet Nam. You'll notice that the USMC is still here essentially unchanged, while the hippies are not. In boot camp new enlistees are given a personality transplant, from civilian to Marine (or soldier, sailor, airman, or whatever). That is the sole purpose and function of boot camp. When the transplant doesn't take well enough, the boot is dropped back to a "Motivation Platoon" to try again, or else released from the service as "unsuited to military service." If a flamboyant gay rights activist goes to boot camp with the intention of CHANGING the service, rather than JOINING it, the same thing will happen, and should.

When newspaper columnist Bob Greene asked for letters from anyone who had served with someone he knew was gay, he was flooded with letters from VN vets and others with more recent service dates. It was widely found not to be a problem. You don't really care what sexual preference the guy sharing your fighting hole has; you only care if he's reliable and has your back when there's bad guys in the wire. In fact, gay guys are attracted to other gays, not the straight guys around them. They don't hit on them. If gays get attacked, their assailants will be caught and court-martialed, just like anti-black bigots were back when the services were first desegregated. It will initially make many folks uncomfortable, but so did the desegregation issue. Numerous other countries have gays openly serving without any problems, so can we.

Hutch Dubosque: It's obvious you no nothing about the military nor have you served. Our military isn't the YMCA or a social organization. From personal experience GETTING IN and STAYING IN is a difficult proposition. You become part of a close-knit group; individualism isn't acceptable. Before you spout the progressive line do your homework or refrain from posting and showing your abject stupidity.

Vietnam War Era Vet

This has nothing to do with individuals, and everything to do with advancing gay rights nationally. It will provide a gold mine of agenda-advancing court cases as the military deals with the inevitable assaults, 'rights' abuses, and 'spouse' issues. Court cases are how the Left moves its agenda past recalcitrant voters; notice how Amendment 8 has fared in California.

If the military accepts openly homosexual members, then further resistance on the part of voters will be a moot point. Homosexuality will be officially recognized and supported by the full power of the United States government...end of story. I am disgusted that those at the top of our military can be so short-sighted and willing to aid and abet the subversion of our nation's morality. They will literally be directing our miltary to be used a tool in our own corporate demise. They don't deserve the trust that we have placed in their hands. Please continue to support those in Congress who are determined not to let this travesty come to pass.

statecraft is soulcraft. we take aberrant behavior and make it legitimate. where exactly does this nonsense end? what is the standard? there is none. gates and mullen disgust me. this will have an effect and it will be adverse not just in the ranks but in the soul of America. As Bill Bennet said once we are truly slouching for Ghemmora or however you spell it.