Letter: Discipline against officer is not just about adultery

Friday, Jan. 2, 1998 | 10:54 a.m.

How many top brass, as well as top civilian leaders, have bitten the dust because of hanky-panky in the "ranks."

The continuing uproar over the female officer having been forced to leave the Air Force, and all this yelling about the double standard, completely misses the point. It really has nothing to do with adultery alone.

Perhaps a simple episode from the Bible will make it clear to the layman the danger of illicit sex in the military.

The story of King David comes to mind. He was sorely smitten with Bathsheba. However, she was married to a warrior named Uriah. So David arranged with Uriah's commander, Joab, to have Uriah killed in battle. I don't think anyone lived happily ever after.

I'm afraid civilians do not know the power an officer can have over a lesser officer or enlisted person. The code of no fraternizing between officers and enlisted must be strictly adhered to.

How can your command send your "close" friends into battle, perhaps to die for their country?

I'm sure someone else could explain it a lot better than I can.

Betty Lane