The military policy known as Dont Ask, Dont Tell has been under scrutiny by gay marines, the Army, the Navy, and many others for 15 years now. Since President Clinton introduced the policy 15 years ago, the long standing ban against gay marines and others who are gay in the rest of the military has relaxed, and while it was originally thought of as a victory for gays, it is now seen as a liability.

Clinton originally had pledged to reverse the ban on gays and lesbians serving in the military, but many on Capitol Hill and at the Pentagon vehemently opposed the campaign. Clinton had stated that as far as gay marines and others go, Men and women who have served with real distinction should not (be excluded from military service solely on the basis of their status).

During service in the military, some of the gay marines and service men and women, along with their straight peers, would have to take surveys about their opinions about gays in the military, and many would become physically ill because of their secrets that they were not able to tell without repercussions.

It was in January of 1993 that the policy was issued, and the phrase dont ask, dont tell was soon used. The government would no longer ask recruits if they were gay or not, and as long as gay marines and others did not tell anyone about their sexual preference, they were able to serve. Many thought that having the military not ask the question about homosexuality was the only way that Clinton could get away with the issue to make a majority happy. Although many people at first thought of the law as a victory, it didnt take long before gay service men and women felt trapped. They had to lie every day about their sexual orientation or destroy their military career.

Since 1993 when the law took effect, it is estimated that about 12,000 gay marines and other soldiers have been kicked out of the military. This includes a large number of Arabic speakers and translators whose services are currently needed in the War on Terror. Another source of argument is the fact that when recruiting numbers are low, the military, pressed for soldiers, is willing to ignore the sexual orientation of recruits. Gay marines have plenty of support from the American public, polls suggest, revealing that gays in the military have the support of about 79% of Americans when it comes to their right to serve, no matter if they are gay or not.