Why are we firing linguists in the middle of two wars?

"Why are we firing linguists and infantrymen in the middle of two wars?" asks Aaron Belkin, Director of the Palm Center, a research institute at the University of California that released data showing that several mission-critical gay troops were discharged in 2009.

Of the discharges under "don't ask, don't tell" were 8 linguists, 20 infantrymen, 16 medical aides, 7 combat engineers, 6 missile artillery operating crew members, and one member of the Special Forces. The news came a week before President Obama announced the end of combat operations in Iraq and the waning of operations in Afghanistan.

In his address to the nation last night, President Obama was careful not to claim victory or defeat, which could raise further questions about whether we were poised for success in the Middle East to begin with.

Belkin's data supports claims that DADT is not only discriminatory, but puts soldier's lives at risk. "As leadership continues to fire gay service members in critical career fields, it is the troops on the ground who will pay with their personal safety," says JD Smith, co-Director of OutServe, an organization made up of nearly 500 actively-serving gay and lesbian troops.

The number of DADT discharges also disproportionately affects women and minorities. Although women comprise only 14% of the Army, lesbians received 48% of the Army's "don't ask, don't tell" discharges in FYI 2009. Of the 619 total Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines DADT discharges in FY08, 279 (just over 45%) were non-white.

All signs point to U.S. Military operations as the Achilles heel of the Obama presidency. The public is growing increasingly impatient with a lingering war that's sending sparse U.S. dollars into unfocused operations. Belkin's new data only furthers angst that the U.S. military's focus is further blurred by policies that strip critical personal out of positions critical to success.

President Obama must act now to quell concerns that spread far beyond gay and lesbian servicemembers. He must:

• Hold to promises made to LGBT voters to end DADT. The numbers sway in favor of repeal. The policy is discriminatory and costly. And despite the Pentagon's investigation into the impact of ending DADT, the President can garner public and political support by ending lengthy reviews and recognizing private data that already supports repeal. The time is now.


• Focus on "nation building at home." The discharge of critical service personnel based on sexuality gives a clear message that the priorities of the nation lay with divisive policy when it should focus on unity and inclusion. Discharging LGBT soldiers has a lasting impact on the building of a social infrastructure that is crumbling into segregated corners. The administration refuses to give clear messaging, instead opting to dilute its responses into what they think will cause the least amount of stir. What we need now is clarity and messaging to the American people that in order for us to rebound we must make a collective effort and that regardless of sexuality, there are LGBT people making significant contributions to the health and safety of this nation.