[identity profile] desert-vixen.livejournal.com 2008-03-31 11:53 pm (UTC)(link)

I'm really not sure how I would feel about it in the personal sense, but there are a lot of people trying to deploy together to cut down on the separation.

I think I would be worried about maintaining the proper demeanor and trying not to make other people jealous.

And honestly, in our situation, we would rather do the separate deployments to keep someone here with the MV. But I don't think the couples in the article have children.

Lastly, I think given the fact that it states couples must refrain from PDA, I do think they should not have run the picture of the couple kissing.

DV

[identity profile] electorprince.livejournal.com 2008-04-01 01:26 am (UTC)(link)
Well, that's one sure-fire way to display the gross double standard the Army has perpetuated for the entirety of this conflict. Will the married couples living together be forced to abide by MNFI General Order 1 so as not to undermine the policy in front of the single soldiers, or will they be granted the exception to policy and further cripple the already tenuous and increasingly volatile morale of the single soldiers, who when presented with this state of affairs will commit themselves to shagging anything with skin and drag this entire thing in front of UCMJ?

This is a terrible idea, and ultimately divisive.

[identity profile] desert-vixen.livejournal.com 2008-04-01 01:36 am (UTC)(link)

Not to mention, even if you weren't having sex, no one would believe you.

My thing is: Brian and I touch each other. All the time. Not in a sexual, PDA sense, but we've spent enough time apart that I, at least, like to touch him when he's there to remind myself that, yes, he does exist.

So it wouldn't be a good idea for us.

DV

[identity profile] kishiriadgr.livejournal.com 2008-04-01 01:59 am (UTC)(link)
You'd be astonished how little marriage has to do with sex. This is also the truth at the heart of "Why gay and lesbian soldiers should be allowed to have life partners."

The more I think about it, the more I think it's a bad idea. I think it's cruel towards the people whose spouses and partners aren't Army and thus not in Iraq. I can see it as more of a morale buster than booster.

[identity profile] desert-vixen.livejournal.com 2008-04-01 03:02 am (UTC)(link)

I know marriage doesn't always have to do with sex. My point is, while the couple might decide not to have sex for whatever reason (lack of fairness, desire not to risk pregnancy, modesty, etc) - the likelihood of the people around you actually believing it would be quite small.

DV

[identity profile] kishiriadgr.livejournal.com 2008-04-01 03:27 am (UTC)(link)
That comment was directed towards the unmarried E-Prince. You were in fact the one who initially brought up the point that marriage has little to do with sex, and how the "don't ask, don't tell" issue comes down to who can put photos of their beloveds on their desks.

[identity profile] desert-vixen.livejournal.com 2008-04-01 12:51 pm (UTC)(link)

Sorry, tired when reading last night.

I think I know what post you're talking about RE gay marriage, but it seems like it was a long time ago...

DV

[identity profile] kishiriadgr.livejournal.com 2008-04-01 02:13 pm (UTC)(link)
It was, but it might be tagged.

[identity profile] electorprince.livejournal.com 2008-04-01 06:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Not really astonished, but it'll be the sex that will be resented. Whether it happens or not isn't relevant; it's the perception that some are able while others are not that will be the crux of the matter. MNFI Gen. Order 1 has already reduced the serviceman, someone who's already signed away half of their "rights", into a monastic lifestyle against their will. Go ahead and introduce a paradigm into that equation that doesn't have to comply and see what happens.

[identity profile] kishiriadgr.livejournal.com 2008-04-01 07:57 pm (UTC)(link)
I agree with ya, babe, I agree with ya. Seriously though, the General Order is far from obeyed and I know a lot of commanders over there ignore it anyway. This is one of the things that scares me about going to Iraq, since legal personnel tend to go alone. Some PXs actually sell condoms, there's so much fucking over there, and I know from [personal profile] soldiergrrrl and other women that it can be really difficult for a chaste woman. Sometimes actually dangerous. But I'm going off-topic.

[identity profile] kwokj.livejournal.com 2008-04-01 08:42 pm (UTC)(link)
for the civilians (canadian, too) among us, what's MNFI General Order 1?

[identity profile] vanatru.livejournal.com 2008-04-01 05:19 am (UTC)(link)
I think it's a great idea. If I were Mr. HajiI'd sure love to detonate and IED in a married convex. A nice blow for morale.

Otherwise, bad idea. Bad bad bad. IMO.