Richard F Johnston – on the 'net since 1994

Marines are billeted, or assigned sleeping quarters, in pairs.  Earlier this year, General James Conway stated for the record, that he “would not ask our Marines” to bunk in the same rooms with openly gay Marines.

Before any hand-wringing begins, read the rest of this post with an open mind.  This is something that the civilian population that has not served in the military, doesn’t understand.  In addition to the problem of forcing someone who is openly homosexual to room with someone who isn’t, consider the issue of two homosexuals rooming together.  The next thought becomes why can two ‘straights’ room together but a ‘gay’ couple can’t?   Can a heterosexual male and female share a room?  Absolutely not.  There are strict laws against fraternization.

I won’t even describe what living conditions are like aboard ship, other to say that there are 20 or more Sailors or Marines assigned to a compartment.  In my day, “hot racking” was also practiced:  you got out of a ‘rack’ (bed) and someone else got in it.   Certainly not an ideal situation but reality.  Privacy is non-existent.

Civilians have the idea that they work with people that are openly gay and the military shouldn’t discriminate against openly gays.  Working in an office environment is completely different than living, showering and dressing with them 24/7 for the next 6 to 18 months.  An office worker can’t imagine this type of an environment.  That worker goes home to their ‘significant other’ and what they do behind closed doors is their business.  Military personnel do not usually have that luxury.  They are within arms reach of each other constantly.

The issue ultimately boils down to sex.  Sexual tension is an issue.  If you  are deployed, be it aboard ship, or scatted to the four winds, and I’m trying to be politically correct here, it is particularly an issue that comes up in the conditions I mentioned regarding showering, etc.  I won’t go into details, but trust me…  I have spent many years in the USMC, and yes, I’m straight.  But… I digress.

Military.Com reports that in what was likely his last appearance in the Pentagon briefing room, soon-to-be retiring Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway once more waded into the “don’t ask, don’t tell” waters with his straight-shooter candor by suggesting that “very religious” Marines with “moral concerns” about homosexuality might not be forced to live with their gay battle buddies.

On Tuesday, pressed to explain, General Conway pointed to the religious morality argument.  He said one solution the Corps could consider is “perhaps a voluntary basis” in which those Marines who do not object to homosexuality would agree to take on billets (living quarters) with their fellow, openly gay Marines.

Pressed to explain further why he felt Marines, more than the other services, are more outright opposed to allowing openly gay service, the commandant said:

“We recruit a certain type of young American -– pretty macho guy or gal that is willing to go fight and perhaps die for their country,” he said.  “I can only think as we look as our mission, how we are forced to live in close proximity aboard ships, in the field for long periods of time and that type of thing. … I just think all those things have impact on the Marines and we just as soon not see it change.”

Because the Marine Corps assigns living quarters by twos, they start off with a problem right out of the gate, once the “don’t ask, don’t tell” repeal takes effect, General Conway said.

“I do not believe there is money out there… to allow every Marine to have a room by his or herself,” he said.  But the general said he expects Marine commanders to decide quickly once the old policy is dropped.

“If the law changes, we pride our Corps in leading the services in many, many things and we’re gonna have to lead in this too,” General Conway said.  “We cannot be seen as dragging our feet or in some way delaying implementation. We’ve got to, as the law changes, implement and get on with it.”

Before anyone gets up in arms over the General’s comments,  he has suggested some viable solutions.  Military.com has an ongoing pole online.  I list it’s current results below:

Do you agree with Gen. Conway’s concerns around forcing straight Marines to bunk with gays in the event DADT is repealed?

• Yes. Mixing straights and gays is no different than mixing males and females.   61%
• No. Gen. Conway has a warped understanding of the gay community. His concerns are  ridiculous.  17%
• I’m in favor of doing whatever it is that will increase America’s military readiness. Everything else is noise at this point. 22%