Military Professionalism - United States Air Force Academy

O’Keefe, Ed. “Fate of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Ban Is Still Being Debated.” The
Washington Post (Sept. 23, 2010).
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2010/09/22/AR2010092205696.html
On Sept. 21, 2010, the FY11 Defense Authorization Bill, which contained an amendment
repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell” was voted down. A district judge in California ruled that
“don’t ask, don’t tell” is a violation of the First Amendment and gave the federal
government until Thursday to appeal. Multiple homosexuals who were discharged on
this ground are arguing to be reinstated, claiming that homosexuals should not be
discharged unless it is necessary to further military goals.
Patti, Chris. “The Military’s Next Step After ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’: Equal Rights
for Gay Service Members.” The Washington Post (Dec. 30, 2010).
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2010/12/30/AR2010123003464.html
Patti, who is retired from the Navy, says that the Pentagon must be clear about treating all
members of the U.S. military equally, which means that it must recognize gay marriage
as legal and a right of every soldier, sailor, airman and Marine. Patti believes that these
rights almost must extend to their spouses, just as they do to the spouses of straight
servicemen and women, to include health care, retirement benefits, GI Bill eligibility and
commissary privileges.
RAND Corporation. Changing the Policy Toward Homosexuals in the U.S. Military.
Santa Monica: Rand Corporation, 2000.
http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB7537.html
The manner in which “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy change is implemented is likely to
determine whether it is accepted with minimal disruptions. Based on a review of
organization theory, implementation research, and the military's own experience with
racial integration, the study team identified several key elements of an implementation
strategy: the policy change must be communicated clearly and consistently from the top;
the policy selected should be implemented immediately; emphasis should be placed on
conduct, not on teaching tolerance or sensitivity; leadership must send messages of
reassurance to the force; leaders at all levels should be empowered to implement the
policy; and a monitoring process should be established to identify any problems early in
the implementation process and address them immediately.
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