Don't Ask. Don't Tell.

As anyone who has ever been in the military knows or even if you have some familiarity with matters regarding the military, you know that the armed forces are rooted in tradition.

Most traditions are difficult if not impossible to change. But two days ago the military turned one of its most solid traditions on its head--don't ask. don't tell.

In case you didn't know, it was once illegal for homosexuals to be in any branch of the armed forces. If it was discovered that a person was gay, they were immediately discharged.

Thus the philosophy of don't ask, don't tell. The military didn't ask specifically what your sexual preference was, and you in turn must keep your mouth shut about it.

During the two years that I was in the army (1964-1966) I knew of very few gay men. None of them was obvious about it and none of them ever bothered any of the other men.

We knew or at least suspected they were gay from where they hung out when they were off duty. Beyond that, they were just like everyone else.

It was never discussed and it never caused a problem.

I'm not sure how the 'brass' feels about the passing of this old, silly tradition. I suspect there are a fair number of old-timers who predict the ruination of the military.

That, in my view, is ridiculous. What difference does it make what a person's sexual preference is? So long as they leave others alone, it shouldn't change a thing.

If you want to talk about disruptive influences, how about the one that allows women to serve in combat units? You don't think that's caused its share of problems?

But that's a story for another time.

In the mean time, anyone who wants to serve his/her country may.