THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, May 20, 1996 TAG: 9605160016
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
Congress reportedly is set to repeal the new law requiring discharge from military service of members with the AIDS virus.
Proponents for repeal have been less than candid or forthcoming with any rationale except ``It's the right thing to do.'' On the other hand, there is nothing unfair or unjust about the new law.
Most of the 1,049 members affected have minimal training and experience since they have served less than four years on active duty. Providing additional training for HIV-positive members would be ludicrous since many will develop AIDS and die within five years.
Members became HIV-positive by either homosexuals or heterosexuals who lacked good order and discipline by failing to practice safe sex. If they die on active duty, their beneficiaries will receive $200,000 at taxpayers' expense for a disease acquired by their misconduct.
HIV-positive members are nondeployable. Therefore, other members must serve more than their fair share of overseas and/or shipboard duties.
So what is unfair or unjust about discharging members who are unfit for full duty because of a communicable and incurable disease that will cause death in the foreseeable future?
Lastly, the mission of the military is natural defense, not being a research center for curing all of society's ills.
Retention of HIV-positive members would represent another politicized policy that reduces combat readiness. If repealed, Congress will shoot itself in the foot and wonder who pulled the trigger. But maybe not; this is an election year.
J. W. BROUGH
Captain, U.S. Navy (ret.)
Newport News, April 28, 1996 by CNB