Should the Military End the 'No Sex While Deployed' Rule?

It's 'enough to make anyone crazy,' writes female vet

People, are you aware that military members are officially banned from sex while on deployment*? And that West Point students are barred from sex in the barracks?

If you're weren't in the know, veteran Laura Cannon would like to educate you. As she explains, "General Order No. 1 prohibits sex (and alcohol consumption) on an Army deployment. Typical deployments last approximately one year, so if West Point graduates follow the academy's rules, then they abstain for all four of their college years, plus the year-long deployment."

And since "five years of abstinence is enough to make anyone crazy," Cannon argues that the army should abolish General Order No. 1. "Keep the rules that protect soldiers from sexual harassment," she writes. "But allow deployed officers and troops to have sex while at war."

That's the gist of Cannon's WaPo op-ed. The rest of the piece's 500-odd words comprise descriptions of the trials of intercourse outdoors at West Point during New York winters, and the "thrill" of "covert combat sex."

* In 2008 the ban was partially lifted for personnel in Afghanistan. Single combat troops are discouraged from having sex, but not prohibited.

Via the Washington Post.

Should the military end its "no sex while deployed" rule?

[FollowTheMoney]

Some rules are made to be broken. ;-)

[Chrysalis]

Apparently they break them quite a bit and when these unmarried women soliders become pregnant they get relocated and are treated differently then had it been a male solider with a health problem or who got caught smoking pot or something and who would be given a discharge and released.

[Denizen_Kate]

@Chrysalis - Not sure what your point could be. Men and women are different; get over it.

[ADudeCalledRay]

@Denizen_Kate That is true, but in the end those women generally get preferential treatment as oppose to a male getting caught with alcohol. What I get so tired of hearing is how "women aren't getting treated fairly enough" from people who seem to be under this impression that women are getting treated so unfairly. If you can not take complaints about gender discrimination going against men then you have not one ounce of space to complain about it when it works against women.

[Denizen_Kate]

@ADudeCalledRay - It sounds like you're doing the complaining, not me. And FYI, many women don't consider pregnancy to be "preferential treatment." I admit to knowing little about the military's rules on getting caught with alcohol, but I've never heard of different male vs female punishment for that.

[ADudeCalledRay]

@Denizen_Kate Well, I do know the rules. And yes, often times women do get special treatment merely because of their gender. With that being said, I am so tired of hearing feminists complain about them not getting a "fair shake" in life and then when a legitimate complaint of gender discrimination is done on behalf of a male the male is told to simply "get over it".

[Cool_voter]

Why should they make their own choices?
They are property of the us government!

[Cool_voter]

Glad you liked that, mongo, guess you didn't catch the sarcasm

[Dan_Tien]

If people want to have sex while on R&R then that will be nothing new. Troops having sex on the front line would not only be hard for unit integrity, it would also tend to make people drop their vigilance and might get people killed.

[PNWest]

They'd have to drop not only their vigilance but their pants.

[RobertJHarsh]

What?!?!?! That was a rule?:facepalm: YES....abolish that rule. NOW.

[SpookyThreeTwo]

They're ordered to go fight and die for their countr, but they can't have sex? what the fuck kind of society do we live in? I think some WW2 and Vietnam vets need to jump in on this argument.

[martydotcom]

Only woman troops I encountered in Nam were nurses

[Denizen_Kate]

@martydotcom - So? Did you or didn't you? ;-)

[martydotcom]

@Denizen_Kate my contact was while checking on wounded or.. personnel not exactly the right state of mind. Thailand, Saigon R&R ask me no questions

[CanisCanemEdit]

There is always that one whining individual that cannot curb their animal instinct to be touched down there. Take a bar of soap into the shower or do what you need to do for that release, miss.

The war zone,(No Matter WTF M*A*S*H showed you) is no place for sex.

So long as Adultery is a crime punishable under the UCMJ, the "No Sex While Deployed" rule will need to stand because a significant number of the enlisted and deployed are married...and their spouses are in the States.

What would be the Military responsibility if a Deployed soldier came back and gave his wife an STD that he contracted from another Depoloyed soldier?

The rules are there to set blame for problems squarely on the soldier responsible.

[MongoAPillager]

just in case there is not enough conflict,no women on the battlefield,no single parents on the battlefield

[Chrysalis]

I agree. Those rules are there because conduct is of the utmost importance in the military and it keeps a leash on problems, especially in a coed military. I'm sure if someone wants to masturbate to relieve sexual frustrations or tensions, then they'll find the time if they have any alone time at all. The right thing is to make sure that soldiers get time to come back and spend time with their families as opposed to being deployed for years.

[Chrysalis]

@MongoAPillager SO you think in the midst of a definition of conflict where a "mission" is of the utmost importance, and possible national security is at risk, that the "U.S Military" should abandon conduct, professionalism, and excellence and become Jersey Shore?

[MongoAPillager]

@Chrysalis UUmm did i say that?maybe i need to brush up on my writing skills,cause i hate anything to do with jersey shore,except jersey cows???

[Chrysalis]

@MongoAPillager No, but you used rhetoric that insinuated that in order to keep conflict down then perhaps we should not allow women into the military which is silly because it refreshes old attitudes that sexually objectify women and only views women as something to have sex with. And then you said single parents which makes one think that the function of the military might be the next singles bar? Bottom line, people don't join the military to hook up with other people, and the military has certain rules in place for a reason, people who join are supposed to inform themselves about what they are going into and the nature of deployment is supposed to be a sensitive issue. If you are more worried about getting laid during deployment then getting killed, then maybe the military isn't the right place for that person.

[FFX_VA]

Sex while deployed is only upsetting to the ones not getting any. Chain of command & human drama issues aside.

[Sonny]

This is just another example of some "authority" making a rule or law that is simply contrary to human nature. I suspect that if someone in the military wants to have sex (even while deployed)----that it probably happens all the time...Further, I really don't think that much will happen to them, as a result of those actions, unless those acts can be somehow tied to some other "infraction" or permit them to finally get rid of a "problem soldier", etc....No big deal.

[wild_turkey6]

In my experience the problem with sex while deployed is pregnancy. If a soldier becomes pregnant, she is immediately flown out of the AO and back to home station. This is a big headache for the rest of the unit, because her duties still have to be completed, and now there is one less person to help out.

[Sonny]

@wild_turkey6 I've never suggested that there couldn't be negative ramifications, I merely pointed out that, it is almost impossible to mandate or legislate a natural human behavior.

[wild_turkey6]

@Sonny Agreed.

[R0GU3]

Umm. I'd hope while I'm on the front line trying to keep my butt in one piece & my fellow soldiers alive that everyone else would have that singular mission in mind. Not how nice an ass the soldier next to me has or how they'd like to get into his/her pants. They are at war, not at a nightclub/bar. There is a time for sex & deployment isn't the time....or place. How quick will you be at reaching your weapon when distracted by sex. If "miss" is so distracted by lack of sex maybe she is in the wrong "field". Maybe she needs to get out of the military & become an escort state side. Just sayin

[Sonny]

Well I'm quite sure that no one would be "engaging" while under fire...I don't think that is necessarily what the article is suggesting... So I think you would be safe from having to watch a sex act, while in a fox hole, and taking enemy mortar fire...Hope that helps...Geez!!!

[R0GU3]

@Sonny No need to be sarcastic. I was trying to say without writing a book that even if at base camp the threat of bombing etc is real so every soldier there should be on guard & ready for danger in some form. I don't believe having your fatigues down around your knees & your attentions "elsewhere" would be considered as acting in a responsible manner toward your fellow soldiers. I'd hate to be questioned once the dust cleared & asked where were you during the fire fight with my answer being "I was "in" private so & so. And I'd damn sure hate to know my battle buddy died because I was off somewhere having sex when I was supposed to be covering his ass. Better make up a better story if you ever have the opportunity to speak with dead battle buddys family. If you can't be a good soldier & follow the rules maybe it's time to get out. Soldiers have sex during R&R off base. It's a fact.

[ADudeCalledRay]

@Sonny And what about the soldiers that want to drink? What about the soldier that wants to take their pistol, shotgun, rifle or any other personally owned firearm? What about the Soldier that wants to bring their Harley? What about the soldier that wants to go hunting? What about the soldier that wants to bring their dog? What about soldiers with wives and girlfriends back home, can they fly home to sleep with them or can they bring them too? You want to lift a regulation cause one interest then what stops you from doing it for every interest group?

[Sonny]

@ADudeCalledRay Ok get it straight, "Dude"..It was NOT my suggestion or question that any ban be lifted. If you read my posts they merely cite the impracticality of trying to force someone to not do something that is as natural as breathing...So if you want to rant and/or get mad at somebody---Take it up with God...he/she is the one that made us as we are...not me, not you, and certainly not the military....Personally I really don't give a damn if they lift the ban or not...Hell it won't effect me one way or the other...LOL

[Kellso]

By all means END IT! Make sure to let the gays know its alright to 'sleep over' and have pajama parties too! It is obserd to tell grown ups that they cant still enjoy normal human lives while they are putting themselves in harms way to protect us.

[Sonny]

Here's a hint...I don't that they are talking about ONLY "gays"...I mean, believe it or not, hetero's soldiers also engage in sex...Again, hope this helps...Geez!!

[Kellso]

@Sonny Will you PLEASE get yor head out of yoru ass!!!!!! I didnt say it meant for only gays. I was merely showing my disapproval that they had already removed the dont ask dont tell but I ALSO said it was simply stupid to not allow normal humans the right to be 'normal' ESPECIALLY when they were trying to protect us.. I personally DID NOT KNOW that it was against the 'rules of the military' to be normally active while deployed. I mean,,,,,,, what woud lit hurt too????

[Sonny]

@Kellso Wouldn't it have been just a bit more civil (and shorter) just to point out that we agree on something for a change.....I mean telling me to "get my head out of my ass"...is a hell of a way to tell me we are on the same page...LOL..

[Realthinker]

The article itself says the ban has already been lifted. I guess when the election is over and it's still a holiday weekend, the Politix staff has to create controversy out of thin air in order to have a subject to post! I do take issue with the notion that abstinance is impossible for anyone. It is, but most people see is no point in it.

[Sonny]

/Well, no it says that it was only "partially lifted" and only for "personnel in Afghanistan"...Presumably it is still in full force elsewhere.

[Realthinker]

@Sonny It says it is "discouraged", not banned. Distractions are dangerous in a war zone.

[Sonny]

@Realthinker No, I understand, and would tend to agree with you. Its just that---when people are under stress in a strange place (an avid discription of being deployed)---they will inevitably "do things" that may seem inappropriate...I just don't know how anyone can mandate a stop to human nature.

[Realthinker]

@Sonny They can't, but boy do they try.

[wild_turkey6]

@Sonny Each command within CENTCOM (Central Command, pretty much the entire Middle East) writes their own General Order based on Guidelines given from CENTCOM. CENTCOM's GO 1 doesn't mention sex at all. The current Afghanistan GO1 does discourage sex. When I was in Iraq in 2010, they had a similar GO1. I don't know about the other AOs within CENTCOM.
I have attached a link to both CENTCOM and Afghanistan's GO1s.(these may change or have already changed, based on the current commanding General)
http://timemilitary.files.wordpress.com/2012/...
http://www.militaryatheists.org/regs/JPGO1B-4...

[acchokiefan]

WE ARE OVER HERE TO KILL PEOPLE. NOT MAKE PEOPLE

[Sonny]

Well I sure as hell wouldn't recommend that you or anyone else try to "physically stop it"....LOL

[kirbstomp1]

Wow. There's no way I could live a month without sex. Much less 5 years. Let these people get their groove on, their getting bullets shot at them. All they want is a little love on the battlefield. Might give the soldiers a little more drive.

[CommonSense]

This could be seriously comprise combat readiness.
Let them have sex. It will raise morale.

[marine1]

that aint all it will raise

[ADudeCalledRay]

What about drinking? What about soldiers who want to bring their dogs? What about Soldiers that want to bring a privately owned firearm? What about soldiers that want to smoke weed? There are a lot of things that they could lift? Why just sex?

[seedtick]

Well, "sex while deployed" is a little restrictive. Troops get R&R (should really be RS&R) rest, sex, and relaxation. Troops have sex when on R&R. But, when on the front lines and in harm's way, sex should remain forbidden. This is a dangerous time to play around. There are military laws against married troops engaging in extra-marital sex. The UCMJ explicitly forbids adultry. But, single troops should be allowed to engage in sex acts while on R&R away from their combat assignment jobs.
Remember, though, sex acts between troops at any time endangers the chain of command and unit cohesion. This will drastically affect a unit's ability to effectively engage the enemy or protect itself.

[CommonSense]

I agree sex on the front lines would be a little ridiculous. No reason why they shouldn't be allowed it during R&R. No sex between superiors and subordinates, though or people in the same unit. Whether they are allowed to have sex with civilians where they are deployed should depend on the culture. In the Muslim world obviously not. In a more sexually liberal place where people won't get mad OK.

[Fishbone345]

BYU, Notre Dame, TCU and Baylor all are religious schools. All have a certain "Honor Code" you are supposed to abide by. Why is it such a bad thing for the military to require the same behavior of its Cadets and those on deployment?
On a deployment and in the heat of battle, f%&cking shouldn't be a focus. Add to that Adultery is against the UCMJ, and being how many times enforcement on that rule has happened and it makes for an ineffective unit.
Being in the military is more than just going where you are sent and doing the job given. It requires that you conduct yourself in a certain manner, with honor, integrity and humbleness. If your "sexytime" is more important, then perhaps the military lifestyle isn't for you. Don't join.

[KyleMFb]

Sex complicates things and you don't need anything to be more complicated in a combat zone sex should be frowned upon in the military but it should not be punished things happen and if it allows them to escape that's good but if it starts to become a dangerous thing something needs to be done

[Ted_Rall]

Obviously idiotic and counterproductive. Anyone who CAN follow the rule is psychotic and shouldn't be deployed.

[Chrysalis]

Psychotic? I think a self-disciplined person who realizes consequences is far from being "psychotic". Your comment just made it sound like you just lumped everyone chaste for religious purposes or people abstinent for other reasons (such as those who honor their wedding vows) as well as people like Muhammad Ali into the psycho category based on some hyped up ideal that something is wrong with people if they aren't pursuing sex for sex sakes even at the most inappropriate times imaginable. At same point, everyone needs sex, but some places are not appropriate and creates problems. In their down time, when they aren't on base, or deployed on some mission, if they want to go have sex, whatever...but condoning it while they are on active duty is about as appropriate as having sex in the workplace and on the clock and the way some people work, they could make that argument, but it's still not appropriate.

[Republican5001]

First it was Don't ask, Don't tell. Now it is this. Wonder what's next. Watching America implode on my flat screen courtesy of the Democrat Socialist. Since common sense waved bye bye to all things democrat when the Kennedy's took office.

[Chrysalis]

Why does it seem like Republicans blame everything on the Democrats? Damn, blame it on society, the way people raise their children to want everything their way even at the expense of hurting other people or at whatever the cost, just as long as they are happy as opposed to understanding concepts like responsibility and propriety, but realize that not everything goes back to a political party that is pretty much the twin of the other political party with a few minor social and fiscal exceptions.

[Republican5001]

@Chrysalis And democrats take responsibility for anything of any value or not blame republicans?

[Chrysalis]

@Republican5001 See that is the problem, they just keep pointing fingers at each other instead of doing work. If I am doing a job and I keep pointing my finger at my coworker for something then I'm taking away from the work I could be getting done. So with Reps and Dems pointing so much, is it any wonder nothing of use gets done up there? Only difference is if I wasn't doing my job I'd be fired, but they get paid very well for pointing their fingers as opposed to taking action and getting things done.

[Republican5001]

@Chrysalis Yup frog wouldn't bump it's ass if it had wings. Not really sure why you responded with opinion that neither condones or refutes mine. G'day.

[Chrysalis]

@Republican5001 My boyfriend would say it's because I like to play devil's advocate; I generally see and argue both sides of an argument.

[martydotcom]

question should be when will Army realize no sex while deployed rule is universally ignored from Generals on down

[wild_turkey6]

And the first Soldier that gets into trouble for adultery should point to Gen Allen and Petraeus as examples. If leaders fail to meet standards, then they unofficially created a new standard.