Ever since President-elect Bill Clinton promised to end the military's ban of admitting gays and lesbians into the armed services the question whether or not it should be banned became a very hot and controversial issue. Despite the conclusion by the Pentagon that homosexuality is incompatible with military service, the famous "don't ask, don't tell" policy was put into action to allow homosexuals to serve if they keep their lifestyles private. Since then, there have been many court cases in which this "don't ask, don't tell" policy was challenged or opposed. Evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that there are detrimental effects of homosexuals in the armed services that form the basis for the ban.

First, the cohesion within a unit will be weakened. Unity within a unit is one of , if not the most important, quality in the success of the armed forces. Unit cohesion is the social bond that gives rise to that intangible feeling which causes a man to dive on a grenade to save his buddies, or to risk his life simply because his leader tells him to. It requires the soldier to place the needs of the unit ahead of his self-interest and individual identity. He will do this, however

In conclusion, homosexuality is incompatible with military services for many reasons. Restrictions such as the "don't ask, don't tell" policy produce unnecessary harm. Homosexuality in the military should be prohibited outright. Looking the other way when homosexuals seek to join the armed forces sends the message that they are welcome so long as they remain celibate, or do not get caught. Such a policy is disingenuous and unrealistic. If we are to preserve the success of the armed forces which protect our country, we need to ban homosexuals from the military and begin moral progress instead of continuing moral digression.

Second, the increase of the AIDS virus in the services is feared to escalate into a major problem if we openly admit homosexuals into the military. Homosexuals contract HIV, the human immune deficiency virus, at thousands of times the rate of heterosexuals. According to the Federal Centers for Disease Control, two-thirds of AIDS cases in the United States are found among homosexual men and are directly attributable to homosexual conduct. One might argue that testing is too frequent in the services to allow this to be a problem, however, testing is imperfect, and may not reveal the presence of HIV for months after infection. During combat, individuals are exposed routinely to the blood of others and frequently require battlefield transfusions from their fellow soldiers. If the "don't ask, don't tell" compromise allows off-base, off-duty homosexual sex, will a soldier hesitate to help a wounded homosexual soldier who may have contracted HIV since his last test? Should battlefield medical personnel proceed directly to a heterosexual soldier after treating a homosexuals open wound? Even within everyday training, one is sometimes exposed to others blood. Military men and women willingly accept risks not found anywhere else in society. The question arises; should they be needlessly exposed to a disease that is one hundred percent fatal? The open admission of h

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