DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY

In the interests of journalistic integrity, it should be stated that Shilts has never served in the armed forces, and that as a gay journalist-activist, he has his own ax to grind.

Shilts misses the point entirely. Question 25f of the enlistment application asks about homosexual activity for a very good reason. Such activity, especially aboard deployed warships, is corrosive to the “good order and discipline” of the crew and negatively affects its primary mission: to fight and win in wartime.

The Navy straightforwardly asks all applicants about homosexual activity, not out of prejudice but to preclude disciplinary problems. Applicants are advised that answering untruthfully may be grounds for future administrative discharge. For gay service members to wrap themselves in the flag in light of such deceit is simply self-serving.

A warship is not meant to be a floating social laboratory.

KEVIN C. GLYNN

LIEUTENANT COMMANDER, USNR

Glendale