Military Policy example essay topic

Taking a Stand on Military Bias With the war against terrorism and the potential for military intervention in Iraq, the modern United States military is once again the focus of public attention. Yet, some of the policies of America's international protector of freedom and human rights seem out of step with modern society. There are at least three examples in which inconsistencies occur. The U. S Army, defender of the "free world", should be emancipated from bias and petty social concerns regarding homosexuals, the role of women in the military and the drafting age. Specifically, the United States armed forces of the twenty first century still does not allow open homosexuals to remain in the service, despite exceptional qualifications. Similarly, women are still not allowed to serve on the front lines nor are they eligible to be drafted, regardless of ability.

And finally, the draft age itself, raises questions of qualifications inconsistent with other ages of social rights and privileges. Its time for the military to reconsider there positions on these topics and with good reason as well. The American Military has historically discriminated against homosexuals. Over the last decade, however, the military policy was changed to a "don't ask, don't tell" policy in which a person is not allowed to be open about his or her sexuality. Prior to the current policy, according to the General Accounting Office, between 1980 and 1990 nearly 17,000 servicemen and women were discharged because of their sexual preference.

Although otherwise qualified, these individuals were unable to serve solely due to their sexual orientation. Although today's policy does not result in the discharge of thousands of otherwise qualified servicemen, it nonetheless is still seriously out of step with the social norms of the rest of society. In no other area of work, in either the public or private sector, may an employer discharge a qualified employee on the grounds of their sexuality. The military, in the past, has set up training to discourage the abuse and discrimination of homosexuals in all of its branches. But as indicated by the Service Members Legal Defense Network, these only proved to only have temporary effects.

Its time for better training and tolerance that is essential in today's society. Why should the military be any different? The Army and Marines of the United States maintain the policy of not allowing women to serve in direct combat roles. This policy "precludes 12 percent of skilled positions and 39 percent of the total positions" in which capable women could serve. Furthermore, should there be a draft, this stance excludes women from being drafted to non-direct combat roles as well. A common argument supporting this policy is that women are not as physically strong as men.

Although this is generally true, experts agree that there are women who could meet the same physical requirements as men. The numbers in this pool are irrelevant. If a woman qualifies, she must be considered. Another tenet of the military is that the quality of any well-functioning army depends on the trust and respect shared by the soldiers with both their peers and their superiors. An argument used to keep women from serving in combat situations is that the average male would not trust nor respect women under dire conditions. This argument trivializes the situation.

Respect and trust are qualities earned through superior leadership or performance. Forty thousand service women participated in the Persian Gulf War. The Marine Corp awarded 23 of its female members the Combat Action Ribbon. In spite of the military's intention to enforce a policy for women that differentiates between combat and combat support, female performance during the Gulf War suggests that it is not only impractical but also unnecessary. For the military to fight for individual freedoms while discriminating in its own ranks is hypocritical. We shouldn't be concerning ourselves with a battle of the sexes.

We should allow the best man or woman to do the job. The draft age for men is 18. This arbitrary age is inconsistent with other restraints and / or privileges of American society. It seems the government is willing to entrust a person with a gun, his life, and the lives of other people, yet that same person is not responsible enough to be trusted with a drink. In a recent survey taken among students and adults at Fox Lane High School, the majority of the participants agreed that while an individual shouldn't necessarily be allowed to drink at 18, that individual definitely shouldn't qualify for the draft either. Once again, military regulations are supporting inconsistent laws and policies.

In a democratic country that prides itself on individual rights and freedoms, it is important that the institution defending and protecting that way of life, both at home and abroad, practices and supports the very ideals it defends..