We’ll Get Back to You

MILITARY OFFICERS KNOW THAT THEY MAY NO LONGER ASK recruits whether they are gay, but HOMOSEXUALS IN THE MILITARY are still not out of the woods. Recruiters pressed the Pentagon on what they should do if service candidates voluntarily declare that they are homosexual. After much consternation, the Pentagon passed the word: Take the name and phone number and say you’ll get back to them. After all, Pentagon officials reason, there is no point in recruiting people only to put them on unpaid standby reserve, especially since the whole issue of gays in the military is likely to be resolved in the coming months.