Customer Reviews

Conduct Unbecoming

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I was raised on military bases for much of my younger life, with a career-military father who, when this topic became a big topic in the early 1990s, said to me: 'I don't see what the big issue is with this. They were always there, and we knew that.' That was a surprise to me.

Randy Shilts, better known perhaps for his book (later constructed into a telefilm) 'And the Band Played On...', about the AIDS crisis, turned his journalistic eye and talents to one of the last great approved discriminations in America -- that of the institutionalised disapproval of the military (one of the largest economic forces in America, and one of the largest employers and providers of training and benefits) of gay, lesbian, and bisexual people within the ranks.

Shilts begins his discussion historically, looking back over the history of the United States as to how this issue has been dealt with. Actually, there isn't that much information for the longest period (1778-1954), understandably as (as the Victorians would have phrased it), the love that dared not speak its name in fact rarely did. This 750+ page tome devotes a mere 19 pages to this historical period, in which Shilts argues that there was back-and-forth acceptance and rejection of gays in the military. This perhaps is wishful thinking on his part -- one could even argue that 'gay' didn't exist in quite the same way then as now (sociologically speaking), so to address the issue then as now would be difficult to compare.

Throughout the rest of the text, Shilts examines, largely through personal stories and accounts, of how the armed forces viewed, disapproved, and rooted out military personnel suspected of same-sex activity. With an effective ruthlessness (far more effective and sometimes more ruthless than against the foreign enemies of America) the military in all branches served notice to gays and lesbians that they were not welcome in the service. At times, this turned into a witch hunt, and, as that description implies, was often more widespread and sweeping against women than men.

One character whose story serves as a framework and who turns up as an anchor point at several points in the text is Tom Dooley. Tom Dooley was a man who served with skill and dedication, becoming the youngest doctor in Navy history to receive the Legion of Merit; never one to flaunt or even to speak of his sexual preference, knowing that in general such things were not approved of in society. Yet despite his service record, he was forced out of the military for this 'fatal flaw' (he unfortunately tended to be on the effeminate side), having been given a dishonourable discharge despite his exemplary service.

Dooley, in fact, was terminally ill in the late 1950s, at the time this drama was being played out. He worried that his dishonourable discharge would follow him. Dooley in the end did get a reversal of the decision, an honourable discharge, delivered to his bedside as he lay dying, a gesture of good faith, perhaps, in 1961, but hardly worthwhile to Dooley, who most likely never recovered sufficiently to understand, or to the thousands of persecuted gays and lesbians in the military the 40 years hence who are still suffering under various policies designed to placate the majority prejudice.

Shilt's book is full of stories that sound more at home in a KGB-interrogation room than in the 'land of the free': threats and manipulation, internal surveillance and spying, coercion for confession and incrimination. In many cases the military hierarchy turns a blind eye to violence perpetrated against gays and lesbians.

Shilts does not devote much time to arguing the other side -- why should gays and a lesbians be excluded. This is perhaps the one lacking element in this large text. While reasons arise in his commentary and in the personal stories, it is never developed as a coherent theme -- he takes it for granted that the reader will readily understand the objections. There might be more integrity to the text overall if a more complete analysis would be included.

However, this is a record of dishonour, one that many institutions in many countries surely share. Regardless of one's views on homosexuality generally, and homosexual admission into the military, an element of basic human rights has to be upheld, or those violating them lose the right to claim the role of the morally justified.

This book will settle no arguments, but then, it isn't constructed to do that. It is designed to show through direct experience of men and women in the military how the policies affect human lives, both within and outside the military. This provides grist for the mill of debate. In his epilogue, Shilts discusses the ROTC debate about gay admission into the military. It seemed clear to him then, and continues to be clear, that this is an issue far from over.

This book is very well written regarding the history of gays and lesbians in the U.S. military and all the problems they have faced. Additionally, Randy Shilts does an excellent job of incorporating the history of women in the military and the prejudice's they continue to face in a "manly, macho" society.

This book was well researched regarding the military's ban on gays and lesbians, their struggles and their fight against the services to continue to serve proudly in the U.S. military. Many of these fights were faught in the military's court and when exhausted, in the civilian court to ensure they were given fair treatment. All this is thouroughly documented in this classic book. Also, Shilts incorporates studies supressed by the Pentagon that unit cohesion, morale and welfare of soldiers will not be negatively affected by allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly.

Lastly, Shilts does an excellent job of incorporating different soldier's struggles and life histories into the dates and times of other soldiers.

In "Conduct Unbecoming: Gays & Lesbians in the U.S. Military," author Randy Shilts takes on one of the most controversial topics in military studies. The revised and updated paperback edition is truly a monumental work at over 800 pages. The bulk of the text deals with the years from 1954 to 1990; there is also a short prologue covering 1778 to 1954 and an epilogue dealing with the early 1990s.

In the opening "Author's Note," Shilts writes that he interviewed 1,100 people for the book; this included "military personnel, their families, and their lawyers" as well as others. He also notes that in his research he "accumulated nearly 15,000 pages in previously unreleased documents." The nitty gritty work shows in this richly detailed book, and is well documented in the endnotes.

From the raw material Shilts has fashioned a truly epic narrative. At times it reads like a novel with many characters whose stories are woven into one overarching story. The tale spans the globe and many decades. Along the way Shilts introduces many remarkable people, among them Air Force sergeant Leonard Matlovich, Army sergeant Perry Watkins, Navy midshipman Joseph Steffan, and many more.

Shilts recounts many horrific stories of surveillance, harassment, intimidation, imprisonment, and suicide. The stories are often dystopian nightmares that seem more like tales out of Nazi Germany or the USSR. But there are also accounts of personal courage and triumph which counterbalance the harsher material. Particularly fascinating is Shilts' account of the persistent gay/lesbian subculture in the military, particularly aboard naval vessels. The details of Shilts' stories are illuminating and memorable, and sometimes humorous.

Despite the book's large size, I found it to be a swift read. Shilt's style is clear, to-the-point, and a pleasure to read. Often I found the book hard to put down--a tribute to Shilts' skill as both researcher and prose stylist. With America's military personnel carrying out missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere in the post-9/11 world, Shilts' book takes on, in my opinion, a renewed relevance.

Scrutiny of implementation of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy on gays and lesbians in the military reveals a situation far worse than it was before. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" continues to be a flagrant violation of the First Amendment, effectively silencing the ability to define one's self. Just to say the words "I'm gay" is grounds for removal - not only from the military, but from a job, from future employment, and from a community of friends, sometimes family. To be allowed to exist in an environment where you are encouraged to be all that you can be - as long as you don't tell anyone about it, and as long as you don't act on your convictions - is psychological torture, and absurd government policy. 'Conduct Unbecoming' serves both as a vote for more enlightened government policy, and as a testament to the courage of gays and lesbians who have served, fought, and died for this country.

Today I heard the news that our military is separating more homosexuals now under the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy than ever before. As the mother of a gay son, I was truly horrified to learn of the lengths our government is willing to go to enforce a policy that can no longer be rationalized.

This book was one of the scariest I've read concerning our government's homophobic response to individuals who wish to serve their country honorably

When I went to journalism school in San Francisco. Randy Shilts was mentioned by a professor (one of Shilts' colleagues) as one of the finest reporters in the city. When I saw his byline on the amazing "And The Band Played On," I quickly accepted my friend's offer to read the book. Shilts' style of non-fiction narrative is riveting. It flows like a well-crafted story, yet he documents his facts. We are clearly enmeshed, not in a fictional world, but a real one, realisticallty portrayed. I am a big believer in equal rights for everyone of every race, gender and sexual orientation, but that's not why I love reading Shilts. It's his writing style and his knack for getting to the heart of a matter. His description of people and their varied experiences and reactions touch deeply and his sense of organization - noteable in such a huge piece - is amazing.

Like "And the Band Played On," "Conduct Unbecoming" is compelling, masterfully told and well-documented. It's also horrifying. American soldiers and sailors have been thrown in Ft. Leavenworth, not only for engaging in consensual, loving gay relationships, but for merely *feeling* love for a person of the same gender. Recently! Woman are subjected (and to be investigated nearly always means found guilty - there's no burden of proof at all) to accusations of being gay if they don't agree to sleep with any man who demands it. It's nightmarish. Can you imagine going into combat, saving a few of your buddies' lives, getting shot, then getting dishonorably discharged because someone saw you standing near a gay bar? Going to prison for it? Right before 9/11 - and afterward as well - gay Arabic language experts were discharged from the military. One of them might have been able to stop 9/11, but it was more important that the military purge the ranks of homosexuals. Afterwards, the military expressed alarm at the lack of interpreters - but they had kicked out more than a dozen. It's as stupid as stupid can be, yet it continues to happen today.

Shilts introduces you to soldier after sailor after marine after airman who longs only to serve his or her country and yet is persecuted beyond understanding. Whatever you feel about this issue, you will be electrified by his eloquence, his array of facts, his understanding of history (the founder of the U.S. Army was likely gay) and his sense of detail. I've read "Conduct Unbecoming," "And The Band Played On" and "The Mayor of Castro Street" more times than I can count. It's a tragedy that Shilts didn't live to write more.

An extraordinary masterpiece of reporting on the unimaginable tactics and abuse by the United States Armed Services against queers in the military. A case study on the corrosive effects of bigotry, destroying careers, ending lives, and costing the nation millions of dollars and the loss of some of the most competent military officers and enlisted personnel.

It is hard to read this book and not think of the abuses seen in the deep south during the height of the Civil Rights movement, and it is impossible to believe that in the face of the military's own investigations and reports the failed policies of exclusion and harrassment continue to this day.

If only Shilts were alive to bring this book up to date. Highly recommended.

I enjoyed this book, even though I had apprehensions about the subject. This details the treatment meted out to service men and women when the U. S. military finds out they are gay. One areas that I fault the author for is the over dramatization of the hurt meted out to those gay soldiers in uniform. It did make me realize that our military turned around and kicked out many capable people from the military. When there was a war around (like Vietnam), the military would disregard a person's sexial preference. When they didn't need them, they would kick them out of the military. Also blaming a sailor for causing the accidental death of many other sailors also enraged me.

Since that time, Clinton has instituted a don't ask, don't tell policy. I agree with this policy as there seems a lot of military people who don't believe in equal rights to gay people. The author should be commended for bringing a serious injustice to light.

Mr. Shilts provides a thoroughly detailed history of the persecution of homosexuals in the U.S. Armed Forces from Colonial Times to the Present. This book should be required reading in every history class throughout America.

Though well-crafted, this book is ultimately rather one-dimensional - a 750-page litany of victimization. Shilts' sledgehammer approach and simplistic 1970s identity politics may make for effective propaganda, but that's about it. This book sorely lacks the nuance and intelligence of Allan Berube's "Coming Out Under Fire" - still the best book yet published on this subject.