Soldier/Veteran Issues

2/4/2010 

Risk Assessment: Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal

By Terrance Jones

Founder

The JISS Corporation

*Note- Modest estimates indicate that there were over 400 don’t ask, don’t tell violations last year alone.

Exertion- We can not ignore the fact that the highly exertive combat environments in Iraq and Afghanistan have played a significant role in don’t ask, don’t tell violations.

Disclosure- Don’t ask, don’t tell violations are indicative of the difficulties inherent in making systemic changes that affect the soldiers mind set while waging war on two fronts. It is important that we understand that the don’t ask, don’t tell policy has worked in that all soldiers have had their rights and privileges provided and protected. Don’t ask, don’t tell violations are indicative of combat exertion related issues that will not be solved by high profile mandates that are not respectful of combat realities.    

Cohesion- A don’t ask, don’t tell repeal could negatively affect force cohesion.

Singular Soldier Deterioration Points

Don’t ask, don’t tell repeal proposals put a significant amount of focus on homosexual soldiers, therefore, significantly increasing the exertive affects of combat in theatre.

Force Deterioration Points

It is important that we understand that all scenarios that increase exertion due to don’t ask, don’t tell repeal focus creates situations where reaction and operability will suffer at  the squad, platoon and company level. The following will be affected as well:

A. Tactical/Operational/Strategic Symmetry

B. Battle/War/Theatre Relevance

Final Assessment

I believe that it would be potentially dangerous to battalion, brigade and division symmetry and cohesion in the Iraq and Afghanistan theatres of combat.