Homosexuals and the U.S. Military: Current Issues

D.F. Burrelli, J. Feder, C.V. Dale

This report gives an insight into the situation within the U.S. Military regarding the attitude towards homosexuality from 1980 until 2009. It provides background analysis, information about legal challanges, actions Following the murder of Private Barry Winchell, recruiting, JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps), ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) and campus policies, homosexuals and marriages, and foreign military experiences. In 1993, new laws and regulations pertaining to homosexuals and U.S. military service came into effect reflecting a compromise in policy. This compromise, colloquially referred to as "don't ask, don't tell," holds that the presence in the armed forces of persons who demonstrate a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion which are the essence of military capability. Service members are not to be asked about nor allowed to discuss their homosexuality. This compromise notwithstanding, the issue has remained politically contentious. Prior to the 1993 compromise, the number of individuals discharged for homosexuality was generally declining. Since that time, the number of discharges for homosexual conduct has generally increased.