Two students, one an AU grad student and the other a student at the University of Maryland, performed a heroic act on Tuesday. The women, both open lesbians, attempted to enlist in the military in direct conflict with the armed forces' "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which has been in effect since 1993. Mandy Craig, a graduate student in the School of Public Affairs, was inspired to enlist in the Navy by her partner, who served for five-and-a-half years and received a Purple Heart.
When they arrived at the Armed Forces Recruiting Center with a group of supporters from AU, George Washington, Georgetown and the University of Maryland in tow, the Center was closed. Though the office is open every other day of the year, the doors were locked and blinds were pulled but there were lights on. Apparently the policy is now "Don't Ask, Don't Tell and Don't Even Show Up."
It is admirable that the women didn't let anything stop them. Even though formal policy prevented them from their dream of joining the military and even though the military, by closing the recruiting center, prevented them from directly challenging the issue, they were determined to make themselves heard and make the public aware of the issue.
The women were supported by an organization called Right To Serve, which is committed to fighting the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Thirty people have tried to enlist in 13 cities.
Besides the obvious discrimination inherent in the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, it's not sound policy for the armed forces. In the last 13 years, 11,000 members of the armed forces have been forced to resign as a result of the policy, costing the military $364 million.
With the military stretched too thin from commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan, how can the military justify not accepting anyone who is willing and able to serve?
