TALKING POINTS

UNIT COHESION

*	Unit cohesion is based upon the shared military 
values of the unit, not the personal prejudices of its 
members.  Military values develop from camaraderie and 
pride in the unit and are wholly unrelated to sexual 
orientation.

*	Proponents of keeping the ban state that the military 
values which lead to unit cohesion are:  fighting skill, 
professional teamwork, physical stamina, self-discipline, 
duty (selfless service), respect for unit leaders (both 
professionally and personally), and loyalty to unit.  None of 
these serve to rule out gay, lesbian or bisexuals soldiers.

*	Unit cohesion works for the betterment of the 
military as a whole only when it aims at these worthy 
military values, not discrimination and prejudice.  A unit 
which becomes cohesive based upon individual bias is one 
in which military values will fail and scenarios such as 
Tailhook occur.

*	An effective military cannot tolerate disobedience by 
its troops in the face of an order.  If the military orders 
non-discrimination in regard to gay men, lesbians and 
bisexuals, such orders must and will be obeyed or unit 
cohesion will not exist.

*	The essential factor for the development of unit 
cohesion is the guiding and watchful eye of the Non-
Commissioned Officer ("NCO").  The NCO makes the unit 
work through demands of absolute obedience to his or her 
orders.  If one of those orders demands non-discrimination 
it will be obeyed.

*	No factual evidence exists which concludes that 
service by gay people has or will have a deleterious effect 
on unit cohesion or morale.  To the contrary, all of the 
Pentagon's internal studies have concluded no negative 
correlation exists between sexual orientation and ability to 
serve.

*	Gay people have always served in the military without 
any factual evidence of unit cohesion or morale problems.  
The Persian Gulf War experience serves as immediate proof 
of effective, honorable and successful service by persons 
known to be gay.

*	The arguments proposed for keeping the ban under 
the guise of unit cohesion are the same arguments utilized 
opposing the integration of African-Americans in the 
Armed Forces in the 1940's.  Unit cohesion cannot mean 
unit discrimination. 


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Prepared by the Legal/Policy Department of the Campaign 
for Military Service.   2707 Massachussetts Ave, NW   
Washington, DC 20009.  (202) 265-6666.