By Daniel Batalla

Daily Titan Columnist

“As long as you don’t act gay and other people don’t see you acting gay, it won’t get reported,” my friend explained to me of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” military policy.

Over the years, I’ve had friends who have served in many facets of the military, and I’ve always wondered where they stood on the controversial topic.

DADT was introduced in 1993 by Former President Clinton as a way to compromise with the U.S. government over the ban on gays in the military. It allowed homosexuals to serve in the military so long as they did not disclose their sexual preference.

It’s been quite some time since I’ve had to hide my sexuality from anyone and even longer since I’ve cared what anyone’s had to say about me in general; so when I spoke to my friend about his experiences in the Air Force, I didn’t understand why anyone, specifically the government, would be interested in anyone else’s sexual orientation.

Perhaps I’m just not that familiar with military protocol, or perhaps I’m just that gay, but I couldn’t imagine serving in the armed forces and having to closet myself again.

I spent years coming to terms with my sexuality and having someone ask me not to reveal certain aspects of my life just wouldn’t sit well with me.

With President Obama recently discussing the eventual repeal of DADT, I began asking my military friends what they thought of the policy. As I sat discussing the subject with one acquaintance, he began to describe his knowledge of DADT.

“There was this one guy I knew in New Mexico who was real professional and serious when he was in uniform,” he said. “But when he was off base, he would wear earrings and act really flamboyant.”

I must be naïve because I figure if the airman wasn’t allowed to be himself at work, surely when he was off duty he could be as flamboyant as he wanted.

But then my friend explained military bearing to me. Military bearing is the characteristics of members in the armed forces. “If you’re out getting drunk and acting stupid and some guy asks you, ‘Where’s your military bearing?’ that’s enough to sober you up,” he said. “It’s taken that seriously.”

The same apparently goes for “acting” gay because the airman my friend spoke of was eventually asked to leave the service and was honorably discharged.

Honorable or not, I was upset to hear of the man’s release from the air force over a few accessories and a limp wrist.

His sexuality was in no way a reflection of his ability to serve his country.

Since DADT was introduced in 1993, over 13,000 servicemen and women have been discharged over their sexual orientation.

When Obama began his presidential campaign, one of the main issues he touched on was the eventual repeal of DADT.

As of late he has restated that he plans on abolishing the policy but has given no real timeline as to when this will occur.

He cannot end it unilaterally because the policy is dictated by federal law. But it is reassuring to know we have an administration in office that is ready to do away with the homophobic policy.

With the president working toward ending DADT, it will be up to our servicemen and women to accept their fellow gays.

It’s difficult to say how people will react when the time comes to revoke the policy, but I’d like to think that eventually the homophobic attitude of the military will take a back seat to acceptance and tolerance.

The military is full of machismo attitude, but that’s not to say that many won’t agree with terminating DADT.

Still, there are those who would prefer gays leave their sexuality at the door.

Don’t ask, don’t tell; out of sight out of mind.

But homosexuality is neither out of site nor out of mind; it’s in your schools, at work, on television, at bars and soon enough we’ll be able to serve our country openly.

I have no desire to serve in the military myself; I’m fine just wearing my camouflage T-shirts.

But it’s comforting to know that those who do have a passion to serve their country will soon be able to do so without the government telling them to stay closeted.