Good riddance to ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

This week was historic for the men and women who serve in the U.S. armed forces.

During my 21 years of service to the corps and the nation, I’ve seen a lot of history made. But none of that history was as controversial as the events of this past week.

On Tuesday, Sept. 20 the policy called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” or DADT, was relegated to history’s trash heap. And I say good riddance. It was a failed, unjust policy that deserves to molder forever in the trashcan of fate. This reform was long overdue.

Many dedicated officers, enlisted personal, warrant officers and non commissioned officers had their careers destroyed by this policy. They lost every thing, retirement, benefits, rank and they were given a dishonorable discharge or court martial.

Why? Because the soldier was found to be a gay man or lesbian woman. This was their only “crime.” This policy was frankly a travesty of justice and a grave insult to their dedicated service to this nation. Being gay or lesbian is not a crime and now it is no longer an obstruction to military service.

Change is never easy. This will be hard. But most good things in life aren’t easy. The military has undergone change before — from as far back as the Revolutionary War to the 20th century. First there was the integration of black people into the service. It was a long and hard struggle and well worth it. Then there was the addition of women to the armed forces and their continuing struggle to gain equality in the ranks and in jobs.

With the removal of DADT, the struggle begins for openly gay and lesbian service members to serve equally and openly within the ranks. I am confident the military will come through this challenge, as it has in the past. I know my brothers and sisters in arms are up to this new challenge.

I write these words knowing that they are certain to anger some. Perhaps even my fellow soldiers, men and women with whom I served with in the past. But I feel strongly that this must be said. That as a soldier, or my case a retired soldier, I must lead by example.

I do not care if a soldier is black, female, Christian, Muslim, gay or straight. As long they have passed all the tests, medical exams, background checks, go through basic and AIT training to graduate. So long as people are willing to serve this country with honor and conduct themselves as professionals with integrity toward their fellow soldiers and are dedicated to the mission and the nation then I have no problem with their service.

I may have known some gay soldiers during my years in the service and this is the lens through which I have viewed their service for years. I’m sure I also served with many gay and lesbian soldiers who I never knew were homosexual because DADT forced them to keep that part of their lives a guarded secret.

The repeal of DADT lifts a very large weight lifted off the backs of these soldiers, some of whom are risking their lives in service overseas right now. Some have been wounded and some made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of this country.

And some are waiting in the wings to sign up, while others who were discharged under the policy are re-enlisting in the service. Most of these soldiers are truly dedicated to serving like everyone else wearing the uniform. Being gay or lesbian should not deter them from serving the country they love. They are Americans, too.

Changing this law will not be the end of the military, the world or the nation. Rather it is a sign that this nation is maturing and this veteran is 100 percent for it.

The hardest part of all this will be ridding ourselves of our prejudices. We must learn to see people, and not their color, gender or sexuality. That alone may take a very long time. But I have hope that this is a turning point for us as a nation.

Wasilla resident Daniel D. Grota retired from the U.S. Army after more than 21 years of service.