Should people who require daily HRT be eligible to serve in the military if people who are Type 1 diabetics and require daily insul or pumps are disqualifed?

This is not a gay rights issue.

This is more about being combat ready since this is not a social club but people must be fit for duty.

I'm not saying I agree with the idea of kicking them out.

But this is a delimna for the military and for those who serve side by side with people who depend on each other.

On a side note, I bring this up from time to time. I was delighted to see gays be able to openly serve in the military. I was kicked out before DADT. It was simply gays not allowed when I was booted. We had to sneak around and most worried about being found out.

During the summer of 1975 I was friends with Leo Matlovitch when he got on the cover of Time magazine. Leo was the very first active duty gay man who challenged the long standing rule of "no gays allowed". He eventually won years later. I knew him when he was in the Air Force and I was in the Navy.

I have nothing against gays serving in the military but the question of combat readiness does not come into play with gays but it can with transgenders.

Matt,

Combat readiness is a much discussed topic.

There's the issue of women being drafted as well as transgenders serving that are being discussed if they affect combat readiness.

There's people taking both sides and I don't think you can assume its a partisan issue.

Censor,

I don't think you fully understand how the military views itself.

When you join the military, your individual rights are significantly reduced and you fall under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). This is not a civilian workplace catering to cultures.

As of late there are military leaders who are concerned about DEI initives in the military and the impact on combat readiness.

Concerns include the military mentality emphasised in training of unity rather than stressing individal identities, political agendas becoming part of the military environment and simply the resources redirected for DEI that could be better spent on combat readiness.

Bottom line, calling everything a phobia, ism, or bigoted thinking just shows a fundamental misunderstanding of military culture.

The military isn't about catering to individual sensitivities. It's about building unity, discipline, and mission readiness.

These sort of negative labels undermines the cohesion and trust required in a team where everyone's focus must be on the mission, not personal grievances or ideological battles.

Lamp,

I know we aren't drafting currently.

I should have worded it, "should women be required to register for Selective Service".