Free Republic

WASHINGTON – The Marine Corps commandant said Wednesday that the ability of U.S. troops to fight and win wars must trump other concerns as the nation considers whether to let gays to serve openly in the military. In testimony before a House committee, Gen. James Conway said he supports a Pentagon assessment to determine how to lift the ban. But he also suggested that civil rights ultimately would have to take a back seat if it meant tampering with the military's ability to protect the country. "That's what they have been built to do under the current construct and I...

Retired Master Chief Petty Officer Tours Afghanistan & Persian Gulf, Speaks to Troops about Military's Gay Ban; MCPOCG Vincent W. Patton III Says Most Troops 'Don't Care' about Sexual Orientation 2/11/04 11:47:00 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: National Desk Contact: Steve Ralls of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, 202-328-3244 ext. 116 or sralls(at)sldn.org WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Most enlisted troops serving in the Middle East simply "don't care" if they are serving alongside openly lesbian or gay personnel, a retired Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard reports. MCPOCG Vincent W. Patton III, USCG (Ret.), who served in...