13,000.   That’s the number of military personnel who have reportedly been discharged since 1993 for being homosexual under the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy.

In 1993 President Clinton implemented the policy, and today there’s a push by some people go even further and allow homosexuals to openly serve in our nation’s armed forces.  

That is fine with me.

Basically, the rules of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” stated that homosexuals in the military were not allowed to tell about their lifestyle, and their superiors were not allowed to ask them about it.

During his campaign, President Obama promised to end “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.”  He reaffirmed his promise just the other day.  The big thing is how to implement it.

I exited the military a few months before the new policy started.  Did I know any homosexuals who served in the military?  Yes.  Did I see them harm national security?  No.  Were they detrimental to the mission being accomplished?  No.  Did they take pride in serving their country?  Yes.

I really don’t care if a person I am associated with is homosexual or not.  Frankly, I don’t believe in that lifestyle, but I don’t think my beliefs should prevent someone from serving their country.

During my almost 12 years in the military, I remember when the information was coming out about the “Don’t ask Don’t tell” policy.  I heard several newer members of the military saying they now had another angle to use to get discharged.  Kind of like, “I don’t like being told I have to go to Iraq for the third time, so I will tell my boss I’m gay.”

I’m sure a few people tried this angle to get out because not everyone can handle the military way of life.  I’m biased, but military people and veterans are some of the greatest people on the earth.

President Obama is short on specifics on how he will implement the new policy.  There are many issues that will come up by allowing openly gay people to serve, such as housing for partners, insurance, medical care, etc., all come to mind.  It will take some work, but the time has come to do away with this silly policy that I think really harmed our military more than it helped it.

Besides, not many people care about the sexual preferences of a person carrying them to safety after they have been wounded or providing cover fire for them in a hostile situation.  It’s just not that big a thing when the bullets are flying.