The issue of gays serving openly in the military has come at a most inopportune time.  The way forward is further complicated by the fact that the repeal must come from Congress, a body that knows very little, if anything, about serving in the military.  Looking at their conduct over the last few years, it also is obvious that collectively Congress knows nothing about unit cohesion.

Because of a lack of actual military experience, the members of Congress also cannot understand the full impact of their decisions on the military.  Few of them understand the absolute essentiality of maintaining military morale, justice and discipline.  An Army may march on its stomach, but it fights on trust and faith in the band of brothers (and sisters) around them.

There is daylight between theory and reality.  Before DADT is repealed, some basic questions have to be answered:

• Will gay couples be afforded all the rights and privileges of married couples when assigned to states where gay marriages are recognized? 
o Will those privileges be revoked when assigned to states where same sex marriages are not recognized?
• Will the gay spouse be recognized by FRGs, etc.?
• Are any changes to the UCMJ required?
• Will repealing DADT hurt recruiting?
• Will those previously discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" be allowed to return to active duty with back-pay and adjusted grade levels?
• What changes will be made in the overseas screening process?
• What changes will be necessary for gays to be reassigned under the "Threatened Airman/Soldier/Sailor" provisions to rapidly PCS those threatened to undisclosed locations?
• Will Security Clearance rules be revised to allow higher clearances for openly gay personnel assigned to highly sensitive positions?
• Will heterosexuals have the option to not serve with gays in the same aircraft, tank, ship, or other close quarter duties?

Attitudes and perceptions won't change overnight, if they ever will. Traditionally, sexual orientation has been a topic that was best not discussed among warfighters -- like politics or religion.  Those subjects generally have no "right" answer and therefore have nothing to do with carrying out missions.

My position on gays serving in the military has not changed from the article I had published in the Air Force Times ten years ago.  I knew many gays during my 35 years of active service.  Most served with honor, dedication and efficiency.  Long before "Don't Ask," the policy of discretion concerning sexual orientation worked fine.

So why can't we just leave it alone, especially during this time when so much is on the military's collective plate?  As my dear departed grandfather used to say: "When there is no advantage to poking a wildcat, it is always best to put your stick down."