MSU’s ROTC programs since have been going with the flow; that flow, though, is somewhat slow.

In the absence of formal directives for replacing DADT from the Department of Defense, the ROTC programs have been operating under a policy of no longer seeking out or disciplining service men and women who disclose their sexuality.

Lt. Col. James Rouse, chairman of MSU’s Department of Military Science and head of the Army ROTC program, said the old policy remains on the books until 60 days after President Barack Obama signs off on a new policy.

Military leaders have estimated the transition could take until the end of 2011.

“We’re not taking any action for anyone that says, ‘I’m a homosexual,’ or, ‘I’ve engaged in homosexual conduct,’” Rouse said.

During his State of the Union address last week, Obama called on colleges and universities across the U.S. to open their doors to ROTC and other military programs.

That move, Rouse said, likely was prompted by the handful of universities — Harvard University perhaps the most noteworthy — that barred ROTC programs from their campuses at least partially because of DADT.

“Our troops come from every corner of this country,” Obama said during his speech. “And, yes, we know that some of them are gay. Starting this year, no American will be forbidden from serving the country they love because of who they love.”

The impact of the president’s remarks remain to be seen, but ROTC programs at universities where they are permitted will implement new policy information as it is handed down, Rouse said.

“It was just signed into law in December (2010), so it’s going to take a little bit,” he said.

Rouses’ assertions were echoed Friday by Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, an organization of military leaders. During a press conference, Cartwright said a definitive time peg on when the old policy will be replaced is unknown.

Still, Cartwright said each branch of the military is expected to begin training troops, both active and inactive, on what the policy repeal means beginning in February.

“The one key activity that is common … is the feeling that moving along expeditiously is better than dragging it out,” Cartwright said, adding military leaders have not ruled out the possibility of taking the whole year to replace the DADT policy. “I think we leave the year there because it’s a good goal; there’s nothing that tells us it’s not reachable.”

But the repeal has not caused a spike in service men and women disclosing whether they are gay, at least at MSU, Rouse said.

“No one at Michigan State ROTC has come to us and said, ‘I have engaged in homosexual conduct,’” Rouse said. “We’ve not had anyone say that to us. Nor have we had anyone who is currently a cadet in our program say, ‘I have not made this public.’”

Ahead of a full repeal, Rouse said expunging the old policy can only benefit MSU’s ROTC program.
“I support it because I think diversity is what makes the Army strong,” he said. “The quality of students — regardless of their religion, ethnicity, sexual preference — they’re valuable people, so I personally welcome it.”

Eric Hill, a communication freshman and cadet in Army ROTC, said the program’s members will go along with whatever policies are implemented.

“The army is effective because it’s a uniform unit,” Hill said. “You’ve got to keep the uniformity all the way through it.”