Local Military Recruiter Addresses ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Policy

Marine recruiter Anderson Dacosta told News Channel 3 on October 21 that an openly gay person could not join the military beginning on that day. But, he added, an openly gay person could have done so the day before when the policy was abolished during a 24-hour period.

“Yesterday was a different policy,” he said. “Whatever the Department of Defense comes out with the policy, then we go from there. But, as of right now, the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy is back into effect.”

At the time, Dacosta was joined with two other recruiters who were participating in the 15th Valleywide Job Expo in Indio. Dacosta said not too many people had inquired about the policy confusion.

Former marine Brett Baatrup said he did not support the policy.

“It’s just crazy,” he said. “If you’re American, you should be allowed to serve [regardless of your sexual orientation].”

Baatrup, who is attending classes at College of the Desert, said if gays were allowed to serve openly in the military, there would be some animosity towards them at first. But, there was animosity at first when women enlisted, he added.

“As long as you’re competent and able to do your job, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “I think it’s an individual case by case basis. I don’t think you’re gender or sexual preference affects how you do your job.”

Recruiter Dacosta assured News Channel 3 that the marine headquarters keeps them up-to-date with any policy changes minute-by-minute.

News Channel 3 asked him what he thought about the policy.

“I just go by what the Department of Defense tells me,” he said. “We’re here to do our job, and we do it very well.”

Both the local navy and army recruiters would not talk to News Channel 3 on camera about the policy. They referred the station to the national headquarters.