(07-31-2017, 08:21 PM)JackCity Wrote: But there are already lesbian and gay military members who live/sleep/bathe/dress with the sex they are attracted to with no issues as long as they are competent at their job. What difference does it make?  

If they can do the job they can do the job. In my eyes if a transgender person meets all the requirements for the job, is willing to work and die for their country and is willing to use the same accommodation and facilities as everyone else then I'd have no problem giving them the privilege the same as everyone else.  

I mean I guess I can see the mental side of things. You could make the case that due to their identity issues that they might perform poorly or adjust badly to their role. That would be the same as everyone else though, If they can't do the job they shouldn't be there. Granted I have no military experience and a limited knowledge of the US military but shouldn't the military be as simple as doing your job and not making a fuss regardless of who you are or how you look?

Gay members, while being a distraction as well, are a totally different issue.

The problem is that transgender people are not willing to use the same "accommodation and facilities" as everyone else.  Take Bradly "Chelsea" Manning for example.  He seems to think that he's a woman now.  However his DNA as well as his personal "private parts" dictate that he uses the men's facilities.  It doesn't matter what he "feels" or "believes" or "lives as".  He doesn't (and shouldn't) get any special treatment based on the lifestyle that he chose.

Regarding the military and how it works, it's really not as simple as "doing your job and not making a fuss".  Yes in some aspects of the military, it is kind of like a "normal job", but there are many aspects where it isn't.  Wrong_box pointed out above what life is like aboard a Navy ship.

The military is no place for a social experiment or political correctness.

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