No need to know

All of my working life was spent in the military. I was a Department of Army civilian employee for 34 years and an enlisted man and an Army Reserve officer for 29 years. I came in contact with thousands of military personnel, and I never identified any one with their sexual preference while in the line of duty.

The word "openly" bothers me. To my knowledge we've never allowed a heterosexual soldier to practice his/her sexuality "openly." Nor should we allow a gay soldier to practice his/her sexuality openly.

When soldiers are off duty, they are allowed to do anything they want within reason. What they do behind closed doors is their business, but that's not considered "openly."

So let's welcome all physically and mentally qualified people into the armed forces. No military duty requires one to profess his or her sexual preference.

Nick Morana

Spring Hill