There have been several responses lately to the challenge from one letter writer for the Marines to “man up” and drop their resistance to the don’t ask, don’t tell repeal. These responses challenge the right of anyone not a Marine now or then to state their views.

I don’t qualify either. I was merely an Army draftee, serving during the Vietnam era. But the Army then didn’t seem to have a problem with homosexuality.

I was morning report clerk for a headquarters infantry company in Germany in 1970-71. I typed up Article 32 charges for sodomy, pressed by German nationals …

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Re: “Marines need to man up” (letter, 11-30).

As a former Marine, it made me mad to read this letter about the Marine Corps and the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.”
Those who are not serving in the armed services or have not served should their mouth closed.

The Marine Corps has a great history of fighting for our country and to have someone degrade the corps is sickening.

I bet the letter writer never served in the military.

Re: “Retain ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’” (letter, 9-22).

I was disappointed to see this defense of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” While the writer believes that the policy works, the facts point to the contrary.

Since the policy was enacted in 1993, more than 13,000 members of the military have been discharged for their sexuality alone. When our military is stretched thin in two wars, I don’t think such a policy is working.

But most startling is the low estimation of our military that the writer exhibits. His strongest concern is for how any change in policy will further burden our …

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The argument being used by Margaret Witt would rip the top off a Pandora’s box for the military.

There is no doubt whatsoever that Witt was violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice by her actions, and the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy doesn’t really absolve an officer from dishonoring her oath “in the closet.”

Witt served most, if not all, of her career in a lifestyle deemed unbecoming behavior for an officer. Many other officers have had their careers cut short due to a moment of indiscretion – maybe one lie, one contract payback, one adulterous affair or …

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Our military’s junior officers and noncommissioned officers have the first-line responsibility for the discipline that is required for effective operations. This includes enforcing the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy is a tool that allows corrective action rather than disruption and time-consuming legal action.

The “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy is not broken. Many gays and lesbians have served successfully in the military by following the policy and have risen to higher ranks. Evidently, they did not display their gay or lesbian lifestyle and blended in with the required military lifestyle.

Repealing the “don’t ask, …

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