Homosexual Conduct in the Military

<p>With increasing attention on the policy barring homosexuals from serving openly in the armed forces it appears more likely each day that DOD may soon have to reevaluate the policy defend the current policy or take a position on new legislation. In so doing DOD will need to provide credible recommendations after detailed analysis to civilian decision-makers in Congress and the next administration. To this end the primary questions addressed in this thesis are: if this issue arises in 2009 (or beyond) should DOD recommend for or against changing the 1993 law passed by Congress regulating homosexual conduct in the armed forces and if it recommends changes what should the changes be? To answer the questions posed I explore the history and contemporary status of the homosexual policy. To understand and fully appreciate the tumultuous events that forged this policy into law knowledge of its history is a must. One must remember that this issue was fully debated by members of Congress in 1993. The President and Congress considered the opinions at the extremes of the arguments for and against and finally compromised on the existing policy that balances individual rights of expression and military effectiveness.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>