Welcome Back Harvard ROTC: Forty Years of Political, Legal, and Cultural Conflict

Dusty Bates Farned, J.D

doi:10.5539/jpl.v5n2p167

Abstract

This article concerns the repeal of a United States law which banned homosexuals from openly serving in its military and the subsequent return of military training at Harvard University. It contends that the standoff between the U.S. military and Harvard was more than a single policy dispute, but a cross-cultural conflict lasting decades. Credit for the recent progress in relations is attributed to new leadership in both administrations.

Highlights

The year 2011 marked the end of a law banning homosexuals from openly serving in the United States military (Note 1)
Upon repeal, Harvard University announced that Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) would be welcomed back on campus (Note 4)
Nothing is more indicative of a deeper conflict, than the sheer fact that Harvard ROTC was welcomed back due to the repeal of DADT, yet booted off campus due to protest of the Vietnam War (Note 8)

Summary

Introduction

The year 2011 marked the end of a law banning homosexuals from openly serving in the United States military (Note 1). Upon repeal, Harvard University announced that Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) would be welcomed back on campus (Note 4). It is easy to view the standoff between Harvard and the military as only a combination of law and politics. Tempting it may be to construe the standoff between Harvard and the military as only political and legal, extenuating circumstances suggest there was more at play (Note 6). Nothing is more indicative of a deeper conflict, than the sheer fact that Harvard ROTC was welcomed back due to the repeal of DADT, yet booted off campus due to protest of the Vietnam War (Note 8). While it may be easiest to describe along political terms, “liberal” academia versus “conservative” armed forces, the conflict between one of the world’s most elite universities and one of the world’s most elite militaries should be remembered as cross-cultural

All about War

All about Gay Rights

Characteristic of a Cultural Conflict

Actual Differences

Perceived Differences

Conclusion