Interesting how other militaries have managed wit serve-openly policies:

[cboy4]

Allies' stance cited in US gays-in-military debate

By DAVID CRARY, AP National Writer David Crary – 1 hr 48 mins ago

NEW YORK – When it comes to dealing with gay personnel in the ranks, the contrasts are stark among some of the world's proudest, toughest militaries — and these differing approaches are invoked by both sides as Americans renew debate over the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

In the United States, more than 12,000 service members — including dozens of highly trained Arabic linguists — have been dismissed since 1994 because it became known they were gay. Current targets for discharge include a West Point graduate and Iraq war veteran, Army National Guard Lt. Dan Choi, and a veteran of combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan, Air Force Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach.

***In Britain, on the other hand, gay and lesbian service members marched in crisp uniforms in the annual Pride London parade July 4. Gay Australian soldiers and sailors had their own float in Sydney's Gay Mardi Gras parade. In Israel, the army magazine earlier this year featured two male soldiers on the cover, hugging one another.***

<snip>

With such polarized views as a backdrop, Associated Press reporters took an in-depth look at how the militaries of Israel, Britain and Australia have managed with serve-openly policies, and interviewed partisans on both sides of the debate in the United States about the relevance of those experiences.

___

Israel:

A nation in a constant state of combat readiness, Israel has had no restrictions on military service by gays since 1993 — a policy now considered thoroughly uncontroversial.

more---------> http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090712/ap_on_re_us/gays_in_the_ranks_1


In this June 11, 2009 photo, Israeli army Maj. Yoni Schoenfeld , right,
listens to his partner Noam during an interview with the Associated Press
in Tel Aviv, Israel.
(AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

[MountainLaurel]

1. Well, a lot of places are more evolved than us

I think that's the long and short of it.

[Behind the Aegis]

2. Combat readiness.

I hear that is often the big excuse because the morale of the group would be lowered, thereby reducing combat readiness. And yet, some of the most powerful armies in the world, Israel being among the top ten, doesn't seem to have that issue.