I just watched the State of the Union address and heard President Obama's commitment to open up the military fully to gays this year, followed by the pointed, stony silence of the Joint Chiefs. What is the atmosphere like at teh SAs? Are there gay students? Are they treated within the Corps with a wink and a nod, harassment, matter-of-fact acceptance? Would love to hear from some of the current cadets/mids.
Don't Ask/Don't Tell
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tallbutshort
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I'm not a student at any of the academies so I don't have any personal experiences to share, but there was a gay cadet at AFA who wrote a book about his four years there...
http://www.amazon.com/Heres-What-We...ie=UTF8&s=digital-text&qid=1264651732&sr=8-16
http://www.amazon.com/Heres-What-We...ie=UTF8&s=digital-text&qid=1264651732&sr=8-16
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I am sure there are gay cadets/mids just as there are gay people in the army. I have not seen or heard of any here so they remain secretive about it. Overall, I have noticed the majority to be against removal of the policy or indifferent. Of course there are also those who want it removed but I haven't met too many who feel strongly about that.
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The Joint Chiefs and USCG Commandant do not clap because they are "apolitical". They don't clap for President Obama, and they didn't for President Bush. There are SOME things they will clap about....generally patriotic things that appeal to them....like praises for the military or how great the United States is.
Harassment is illegal, and brigades, corps, wings....they are close communities.
I was a cadre for a gay female cadet who was separated from the Corps of Cadets when her sexuality was made known. She did not fault the service, which was enforcing federal policy, it MUST enforce. She would have been a great service member, and she was prior service, but she knew the rule, and she is doing just fine on the outside.
Just_A_Mom
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Very good point LITS.
Don't read anything into the Joint Chiefs reaction or non-reaction.
The announcement was expected (to begin hearings) - the White House gave advanced notice - and our military leaders are on board with this.
And yes, there are gay students and grads and gay soldiers and gay sailors and gay airmen and gay Marines and gay Coast Guardmen......
Don't read anything into the Joint Chiefs reaction or non-reaction.
The announcement was expected (to begin hearings) - the White House gave advanced notice - and our military leaders are on board with this.
And yes, there are gay students and grads and gay soldiers and gay sailors and gay airmen and gay Marines and gay Coast Guardmen......
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The announcement was also not new. He already made these statements in 2009.
I'm not sure how "onboard" leaders are, there are certainly things that need to be ironed out....berthing being one, relationships.... plenty of things.
I'm not sure how "onboard" leaders are, there are certainly things that need to be ironed out....berthing being one, relationships.... plenty of things.
Just_A_Mom
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I just clarified - they appear to be 'onboard' to begin hearings.
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I just finished this book and have already recommended it to several people and had my husband and son read it. Definitely one of the more thought-provoking books I've read lately - both in learning about homosexuality in general (honestly, I've just never had any exposure to it) and also about the Air Force Academy!
After reading the book, though, I was definitely wondering just how clueless I was since I'd never noticed ANY of the things the author mentions going on at WP. Wasn't sure if it was much more secretive there or if I was just oblivious! Glad to hear I'm not the only one!