How would the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy function under a Draft?

Question

I was curious. If someone found out, would you still be kicked out? If so, wouldn't people start claiming to be gay?

Answer 1

There are really three questions here, so let me take them in order.

1. It would work just like it does now. Which is to say, not well at all. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was a compromise that didn't make anyone happy. Homophobes in the military violate it a lot.

2. You wouldn't necessarily be kicked out, any more than you are now. Unless there is a riot or some other major breach of discipline, they only ever use it if they want you out for some other reason. Commanders pretty much know who's gay and if nobody makes an issue of it, it's cool. The typical response from an officer if a gay comes out to him is, "I didn't ask, what part of Don't Tell do you not understand?"

3. Of course they would. Claiming to be gay is a pretty common dodge to avoid service or deployment. People used it in WWII, the Korean War, and Vietnam. Regulars have used it prior to deployment in both Gulf Wars. And a few people "come out" every time a Guard or Reserve unit gets called up. During the Vietnam Era, there were so many draftees claiming to be gay that the military started requiring proof.

Before Reagan made it a big moral issue by cracking down on Gays in the military, the excuse for the policy of excluding gays was that it posed a security threat because it opened them to blackmail. Typical "Catch 22" thinking, since the only reason they could be blackmailed was that outing them would get them kicked out of the Service.

Gays have served this country in every war, often with distinction. They stop a bullet as well as anyone else and they're easy to enlist because they tend to like uniforms.

It's time to recognize that true morality is reality based and let them serve openly.

Answer 2

I spent 20 years in the military, and for the first few the draft was still in place. Under DADT anyone not wishing to be drafted will tell, simple as that. Getting out by claiming to be gay was a well know ploy as far back as Nam. I have personally seen it used, successfully, on numerous occasions, including one guy who deliberately joined for years of free training and experience planning all along to get out on those grounds once he had a good civilian job lined up with the skills the Navy had taught him. He got an Honorable discharge, his wife picked him up at the gate, and he started his new job at $60K the following week. I've seen the same ploy used by people who convert to Christianity after completing their training and get out as conscientious objectors.
To Miss Alexis: Under the UCMJ the service cannot require proof, since the rejection is based solely on a desire to do something, not on the actual act. How can you prove or disprove an involuntary or subconscious response?

Answer 3

Assuming all of the country's men didn't feel inclined to serve their country in any way during wartime, then if a draft were instituted, it would be an easy way to skip out. Or would it? I would assume that there would need to be criteria in place for determining the truth of a homosexuality case, just as there is for any other lawful question of homosexuality. If there is a possibility that what you claim is false, it will be investigated, and you will likely go to jail if it is proven that you are not gay.

If I were a man (since the draft would only apply to those registered in the Selective Service, and therefore only to men over the age of 18) and I were called upon to serve my country at a time of war, I would go willingly and bravely to do so. I love my country, and though I may not agree with every policy, lawmaker or legislation thereof, I would serve with pride. I would not make up some "gay" story just to be asked to stay home.

Answer 4

Hard to say. The weaselly president of my local draft board was so determined to get me into uniform that he didn't seem to much care who or what I was. Fortunately, the appeals board reprimanded him and then "lost" my records altogether (technically, I'm still 1-A, 45 years later).

If we need to re-invoke the draft, it's because we're low on manpower. And the main reason we're low on manpower is that we kicked out or discouraged so many qualified gays. I think that logic would dictate abolishing the anti-gay policy if it came to re-invoking the draft. But then who ever said government bureaucracies were logical?

Answer 5

Why would it be any different than it is today?
Why would anyone seek to get kicked out with less than an honorable discharge?
Why would anyone admit that they are gay?

Draft is a real bad idea. Let's hope the liberals don't bring back this form of slavery.

Answer 6

I believe you would still be kicked out but this policy is one of the many policies that is only enforced by some and ignored by others which therefore makes it very ineffective. I believe that any time you have a policy or law that is only occasionally enforced then it is discretionary, discriminatory and useless.

Answer 7

If I WASN'T gay, I know I would be using it, but since I am, I would surely play that card. Though I doubt I'll be on the draft list anyway lol.

Answer 8

I think it'd be a huge "get out of jail free" card on a draft. They'd have to cancell the policy or no one would get inducted if they didn't want to go.

Answer 9

I'm not certain, but I don't see why their general rules would change.
I don't think just claiming to be gay would suffice tho - thousands & thousands of people would be doing that...

You might have to take it to the next level & grope your drill sergeant or something ;)

Answer 10

I don't know but if we all get drafted, I'm telling everyone I'm gay and the only boy/youngest in my family. I'm not dying so Bush can make money! :)