Charles L Plummer

Homosexual Conduct in the Military: Removing Emotion from the Debate Charles L Plummer

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.