Since the lifting two months ago of a longstanding U.S. ban on gays serving openly in the military, U.S. Marines across the globe have adapted smoothly and embraced the change, says their top officer, Gen. James F. Amos, who previously had argued against repealing the ban during wartime. "I'm very pleased with how it has gone," Amos said in an Associated Press interview during a week-long trip that included four days in Afghanistan, where he held more than a dozen town hall-style meetings with Marines of virtually every rank.
Our men and women in uniform are some of the bravest, strongest, most selfless people on the planet. I had no doubt that they would handle this change with dignity. What did surprise me was the number of people (many who count themselves as strong supporters of the military) who did doubt that our armed forces could or would adapt. These people put their lives on the line every day and they already serve with (and know of) gay soldiers - they weren't going to fall apart just because those gay soldiers are finally allowed to come out of the closet.
As always, my hat is off to the men and women serving this country. Thank you.
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