New Marine Corps Commandant General Amos Says This Is Not Time To Repeal Ban On Openly Gay Service Members; Says Combat An “Intimate” Experience

Saturday, General James Amos, the new commandant of the American Marine Corps said that this is not the time to repeal the military ban on openly gay service members, citing a concern of possible unit cohesion and combat readiness if the policy known as “don’t ask, don’t tell” should be lifted, that according to Los Angeles Times. “There’s a risk involved,” said Amos. “I’m trying to determine how to measure that risk. This is not a social thing. This is combat effectiveness.” The 63 year old Amos, who replaced General James Conway two weeks ago, continued, stating that combat is an “intimate” experience, and that “We’re talking about our young men – laying out, sleeping alongside of one another and sharing death, fear and loss of brothers.” He added that unlike other branches of the armed services, the Marine Corps requires many of its personal to share rooms while in garrison, complicated the issue of a repeal, according to Amos. A Department of Defense review of the 17 year old policy is due December 1st, based on a Pentagon survey of active and reserve service members, while a ruling made by Judge Virginia A. Phillips October 12th declaring the policy unconstitutional continues to work its way through an appeals court.