Who is considered "fit for service" has expanded over the decades, but as soon as a new category is included, Regulations are updated to reflect that inclusiveness. The services actually do attempt to execute the directions they receive - and as an all volunteer force the leadership is loathe to ban any category of people who are "fit to serve"
It is not perfect, for example, the regulations mandating segregation were struck down in 1947, but in the field, most units weren't fully integrated until the mid to late 50s.
There wasn't a corps of black officer or NCO leadership in place right away, that took years to develop, and racists (even today) push back.
There were race riots on Minot AFB North Dakota in the early 70s, for example.
But in the last 60 years an institutional memory of what it took to break through those obstacles has been promulgated throughout the force. It took less than a minute for the supposedly conservative leadership in all branches of the military to shrug and collectively say "Whatever" when gays were allowed to serve openly.
Same with Transgendered people - it turned out to be a non event.
But for the false brave, self serving anti-patriots who populate the GOP, kicking those who are different has become their only policy.
= new reply since forum marked as read
