<p>Hi, i'm looking into applying to WP. I have a few questions, but this one is about extracurriculars-- would listing the Gay-Straight Alliance as an extracurricular be an automatic rejection, due to don't ask, don't tell? Part of me says it would be, but on the other hand, i'm not making an explicit statement about my sexual orientation, i'm just making a statement about a club i'm involved in. For all they know, i could be a straight ally. What do you think?</p>
<p>I wouldn't</p>
<p>I'd ask your Liasion officer first -- better to be safe than sorry on something like this.</p>
<p>Honesty is the best policy.........always.</p>
<p>well, not telling isn't lying</p>
<p>Look at it logically - would listing it on your app hurt more than help, or vice versa? Are you in a leadership position in GSA or just a member? Are you the founder? I'd take those aspects under consideration, as well as your liason officer's advice.</p>
<p>Put it down on the app. If they keep you out because of it, then you have gotten your answer to the question.</p>
<p>i dont think that putting it down and seeing what happens is a very good idea. i would ask your liason officer and if they tell you to include it I would write what you do for the club and how your involvement in such a diverse club will make you a better cadet and officer.</p>
<p>I would not include it. Every year, many soldiers are dismissed from the army under the don't ask, don't tell policy. It is currently against the ucmj to be gay. Don't ask, don't tell is your safety umbrella - it's permission to hide your sexual orientation. But once announced, you beg the question - are you gay. Granted - they can't ask - but you're not setting yourself up for success here by telling. It's like saying you're a member of the Klu Klux Klan, but don't hate blacks.</p>
<p>Fortunatly, there is much buzz about discriminaters against homosexuality being lifted from our armed forces. With our nation's army about to increase drastically, one of the things that is being discussed is ending a ban on gays in the military.</p>
<p>Leave this piece of information out of your West Point, and any other military packets. Don't tell, and they won't ask. And as an American proud to serve your country, pray for blue skies ahead as our armed forces join the rest of America in the 21st century. I'm confident this ban will be lifted - especially with a new party running congress.</p>
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I'm confident this ban will be lifted - especially with a new party running congress.
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<p>I would not count on it. I don't know many (or any for that matter) within the military that want this policy overturned.</p>
<p>DO NOT LIST THAT on your APPLICATION. Now if you want to serve your country, you can regardless of orientation. But if you openly tell anyone that you are gay or leave out things in your cadet room that give probable cause ie) sexually explicit material which is forbidden...ie) when I was a cadet we had a Saturday Morning Inpsection...SAMI-cadet trunks were inspected...which is fine becuase you had to keep your stuff organized...well my cadet privates trunk was opened...and up on top was a gay magazine....well it was obvoious...he was questioned (this was in 1998...I don't remember if don't ask don't tell was in place then) anyhow he admitted he was gay...and out he went. Under the don't ask don't tell, as long as you do your duty and do not openly admit to your orientation, then you are ok. Otherwise if you say you are gay- you are gone. And No I am not gay. I don't agree with that lifestyle, however, I have had Soldiers that were...and they performed fine. They never admitted it.</p>
<p>one more thing...if you do get accepted and graduate...be advised </p>
<p>engaging in any type of political ralley or something like the Gay Straight Alliance or any social group that may have political demonstrations in your MILITARY UNIFORM is in violation of UCMJ
Like that stupid Airforce sergeant who posed nude in playboy with her Airforce Uniform-----YOU are probably asking why?</p>
<p>BECAUSE
The Uniform of the Armed Services is a symbol of the institution and the values of duty, honor, country, loyalty etc. Service members take an oath to protect and defend the consitution of the US and its people. Servicemembers must follow lawful orders by the chain of command to include the President of the US no matter whther he is a Republican or a Democrat. If you make political statements...you can do so in your CIVILIAN clothes...But you do not speak for the Department of Defense or the Army and this is WHY you don't do those politcal things like endorsing a candidate or a protest etc in your MILITARY uniform. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Oh, and I hope I didn't offend you. I don't care if you are gay as long as you have a good trigger finger and can shoot.</p>