Conduct
Unbecoming: Gays and Lesbians in the US Military by
Randy Shilts
I knew one of the Navy men
detailed in this book and the author nailed this one on the head.
I was a Navy wife for many years, until my husband retired. In the
great witchhunt years, when no stone was left unturned and no
method nasty enough, I saw sailors who did their jobs well and
with honor, but who were systemically chased and hunted down until
they were forced out of service because they chose to care for
someone of the same sex. I also saw innocent heterosexuals
threatened and blackmailed in order to help NIS make a charge
against their potential targets. There was nothing mean enough or
underhanded enough that the NIS wouldn't do to make a charge
stick, even resorting to lies and innuendo to force someone to
entrap a suspected gay or lesbian. It shouldn't matter who you
love or desire...as long as a person does his or her job with
professionalism and honor. Try telling that to investigators who
work without honor. The military policy is deeply flawed and I
believe it has to change. Amazing, isn't it...the military swears
to defend its people, yet will go to great lengths to destroy a
selected few, because of ignorance of its own making. -- Anonymous
Review
Randy Shilts has written what can only be
described as the most important book regarding the issue of gays
and lesbians in the United States military. In a concise and fluid
style, Shilts presents an issue that has been an ongoing problem
for every branch of the military since the policy barring openly
gay men and women from serving was first enacted.
He presents individual stories of servicemen and
women who have been harassed, verbally abused, assaulted and
ultimately drummed out of the military for being gay. More often
than not, those forced out have had stellar service records as
well as numerous commendations from their superiors. The issue has
also stretched to include heterosexual personnel who have been mis-identified
as gay or lesbian.
Shilts is able to present an even look at an
outdated policy that has not only cost the Pentagon millions to
enforce, but has ultimately cost the military some of its best and
brightest soldiers, sailors and airmen. -- Sharon D. Spiller
