# Military recruiters told to accept gay applicants **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 20, 2010, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-recruiters-told-to-accept-gay-applicants/557736 "2010-10-20T03:26:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-recruiters-told-to-accept-gay-applicants/557736/1 "2010-10-20T03:26:44Z")
Not sure where to put this. It’s not mundane or pointless. IMHO maybe, but there could be a debate over the wisdom of coming out while appeals are pending… [AP Story](http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_gays_in_military) \*The Defense Department has said it would comply with Phillips’ order and had frozen any discharge cases. Pentagon spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said recruiters had been given top-level guidance to accept applicants who say they are gay. AP interviews found some recruiters following the order and others saying they had not heard of the announcement. Recruiters also have been told to inform potential recruits that the moratorium on enforcement of the policy could be reversed at any time, if the ruling is appealed or the court grants a stay, she said.\* If I were asked for advice, I’d advise caution. The winds of change are blowing, but they aren’t quite finished. And out-recruits take note: The DI’s are calling you **M** -aggots… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-recruiters-told-to-accept-gay-applicants/557736/2 "2010-10-20T04:29:02Z")
Something that confuses me is that it’s reported that the Justice department will appeal the ruling. It’s reported that Obama would rather sign a congressional bill into law banning DADT, but hey, this injunction works too. I don’t see why he doesn’t tell Holder not to appeal, unless he did but Holder’s doing it anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-recruiters-told-to-accept-gay-applicants/557736/3 "2010-10-20T04:34:42Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > And out-recruits take note: The DI’s are calling you **M** -aggots… > 😃 Times have changed, when I went through Basic (Orlando NTC, 1984) they called us "faggots, “queers,” and any number of other similar epithets. Homophobic taunting was a normal part of training then. Nobody thought anything of it at the time ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-recruiters-told-to-accept-gay-applicants/557736/4 "2010-10-20T15:51:38Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Times have changed, when I went through Basic (Orlando NTC, 1984) they called us "faggots, “queers,” and any number of other similar epithets. Homophobic taunting was a normal part of training then. Nobody thought anything of it at the time My experience was similar in the Air Force. Actually, any imaginable form of insult was used, but the homophobic stuff was especially common. I’m guessing that will be changing now, as well it should. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-recruiters-told-to-accept-gay-applicants/557736/5 "2010-10-20T15:55:24Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Times have changed, when I went through Basic (Orlando NTC, 1984) they called us "faggots, “queers,” and any number of other similar epithets. Homophobic taunting was a normal part of training then. Nobody thought anything of it at the time > [@Oakminster](#): > > My experience was similar in the Air Force. Actually, any imaginable form of insult was used, but the homophobic stuff was especially common. I’m guessing that will be changing now, as well it should. Did they use racial insults? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-recruiters-told-to-accept-gay-applicants/557736/6 "2010-10-20T16:03:04Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > Did they use racial insults? No. That part wasn’t like _Full Metal Jacket_. They also took time to tell us they better not hear any of us using them either. I remember all of us sitting on the floor in the baracks one of the first days there, and one (black) Company Commander said “I want all the brothers to stand up.” The black guys started to stand up while the white guys remained seated, and then the other (white) CC said “You’re ALL brothers,” and started ripping into us about how any racism we might have brought in with us was out the window now, and getting caught using racial epithets was going to get our asses cycled until we puked. Maybe they will use a similar kind of speech for homophobic attitudes in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-recruiters-told-to-accept-gay-applicants/557736/7 "2010-10-20T16:25:06Z")
Again, my experience was similar to Dio’s. Homophobia and course language were routine. Nothing racial was done, said, or implied–other than anyone caught using a racial slur would face severe discipline. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-recruiters-told-to-accept-gay-applicants/557736/8 "2010-10-20T16:45:03Z")
Thanks, Oak and Dio. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-recruiters-told-to-accept-gay-applicants/557736/9 "2010-10-20T17:02:30Z")
I didn’t hear anything like that when I was in basic (it is a kindle, gentler Air Force) but I do wonder how is this going to effect all the casual remarks I heard (most of which were directed at me, fuckers). ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-recruiters-told-to-accept-gay-applicants/557736/10 "2010-10-20T17:52:22Z")
The Obama Administration is challenging the court ruling and asking for an injunction to stop openly gay applicants from being admitted. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-recruiters-told-to-accept-gay-applicants/557736/11 "2010-10-20T18:04:24Z")
> [@Nobody](#): > > Something that confuses me is that it’s reported that the Justice department will appeal the ruling. It’s reported that Obama would rather sign a congressional bill into law banning DADT, but hey, this injunction works too. I don’t see why he doesn’t tell Holder not to appeal, unless he did but Holder’s doing it anyway. It’s Obama’s job to enforce the Phillips ruling. It’s also Obama’s job to appeal lower court rulings overturning existing Federal laws. Unless a stay is granted, it’s his job to do the former while simultaneously doing the latter, in this case. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-recruiters-told-to-accept-gay-applicants/557736/12 "2010-10-20T19:04:56Z")
I remember an old _Benny Hill_ skit: RECRUITING OFFICER: So you want to join the Army, do you? OBVIOUS FLAMING QUEER: Yeth, pleathe! RO: Do you think you could . . . kill a man? OFQ: [smirking] Eventually! ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-recruiters-told-to-accept-gay-applicants/557736/13 "2010-10-20T21:18:07Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > It’s also Obama’s job to appeal lower court rulings overturning existing Federal laws. Would you mind explaining that to me? I know it might sound like a stupid question to you, but why does he have to appeal? ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-recruiters-told-to-accept-gay-applicants/557736/14 "2010-10-21T01:13:47Z")
BBC says the ruling has been overturned and gay people are no longer being allowed to enlist. ---
**Author:** ![SSG\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-recruiters-told-to-accept-gay-applicants/557736/15 "2010-10-21T01:17:03Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > BBC says the ruling has been overturned and gay people are no longer being allowed to enlist. Damn, that means another hundred e-mails tomorrow about how to recruit. :smack: SSG (P) Schwartz ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-recruiters-told-to-accept-gay-applicants/557736/16 "2010-10-21T03:10:01Z")
Maybe, maybe not. [Right now the stay is only in force until Monday](http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-dont-ask-20101020,0,2101799.story). [QUOTE=Nobody] Would you mind explaining that to me? I know it might sound like a stupid question to you, but why does he have to appeal? [/QUOTE] It’s not a stupid question at all. He doesn’t _have_ to appeal; it’s Justice Department policy. The President can quietly tell the DOJ to drop such suits from time to time, but things get sticky for the DOJ (and the President) if he does it too often. ETA: If you’re asking why it’s Justice Department policy, I have no idea, to be honest. You might want to ask in GQ, where someone will no doubt at least be able to tell you when it began. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-recruiters-told-to-accept-gay-applicants/557736/17 "2010-10-21T03:26:16Z")
Thank you for the information, but nah, I don’t think I’ll start a new thread. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-recruiters-told-to-accept-gay-applicants/557736/18 "2010-10-21T07:59:42Z")
> [@SSG\_Schwartz](#): > > Damn, that means another hundred e-mails tomorrow about how to recruit. :smack: > > SSG (P) Schwartz (Let congratulate you on your new (P)!) ---
**Author:** ![SSG\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-recruiters-told-to-accept-gay-applicants/557736/19 "2010-10-21T11:49:12Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > (Let congratulate you on your new (P)!) Thanks SSG (P) Schwartz ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-recruiters-told-to-accept-gay-applicants/557736/20 "2010-10-21T13:21:08Z")
What was wrong with his old §? (What’s the P mean?) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-recruiters-told-to-accept-gay-applicants/557736.md?page=2)