Make War Not Love

This is a typical example of the degree of micromanagement that occurs in the modern military. In past days the military paid little attention to adult soldiers having sex unless it impacted readiness, such as the epidemics of STDs in wars from the Civil War up to WWII and Vietnam.

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=62119&archive=true

I remember in 1982, we transported our families from Bremerton, Washington down to Alameda, Ca on board the ENTERPRISE. E-7s and above were allowed to sleep with their wives. I was a 20 year old, newly married E-5 and I wasn't permitted to sleep with my wife during the 3-day, 2-night passage south. Amazingly we were allowed to share Valentine's Day dinner on the mess decks but when it was over I had to walk my wife to her berthing and go "home" alone, lest "Daddy" (the Navy) catch us fooling around after hours!

Some things the military simply should stay out of. If a person gets pregnant then deal with it. If a couple is caught foolishly engaging in sex, deal with it. If two people have a relationship that impacts morale, again, deal with it then and only then! Otherwise, butt out of people's private lives.

Many veterans remember being treated as adults and children alternatively, depending on who was in command. Career military have experienced this as both young junior servicepersons and as seniors charged with enforcing policy. Almost as one, we can tell you that people rise (or fall) to the level of trust given them.

Blanket policies that punish everybody for the conduct of a few have a greater impact on morale than anything they are trying to prevent. Unfortunately, officers don't learn basics of leadership anymore. Instead, their course study seems to focus on civilian management courses in preparation for life after the service.

In the meantime, they practice risk avoidance by demagoguery. It is a tribute to the young people in uniform that they manage to function at war DESPITE our lack of leadership.