LGBT individuals have served in the US military since the earliest days of colonial America when homosexuality was punishable by death, but official policy did not prohibit gay men from serving until President Truman's Executive Order 9981 in 1948.
They remained closeted due to fear of persecution and stigma, which led to low unit cohesion, morale, and resilience. In the 1990s, Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) allowed gays to serve openly but still required them to hide their identities, leading to confusion and distrust among team members. After its repeal in 2011, LGBT service members were able to be themselves while serving, improving trust within teams. Studies show that relational trust is essential for unit cohesion because it fosters communication, mutual respect, and empathy between soldiers. Trust promotes positive attitudes towards one another, reducing conflict and increasing willingness to share information and resources during missions. Trust also enhances morale as it reduces stress levels and boosts confidence in each other's abilities. Relational trust increases resilience through shared hardships and adversity, making teams more resilient as a whole.
A study found that LGBT troops who felt accepted had higher psychological resilience than those who didn't feel accepted, suggesting that trust played an important role.
Relational trust plays a critical role in LGBT-inclusive military teams, improving unit cohesion, morale, and resilience by creating a sense of belonging and acceptance.
The Department of Defense surveyed active-duty personnel on DADT's impact and found that 73% said it negatively affected unit cohesion, morale, and readiness.
Some studies suggest that trust may not always improve in LGBT-inclusive teams due to prejudice and stereotypes about homosexuals.
A study found that non-LGBT troops perceived gay men and women as less capable and experienced lower team identification, leading to reduced trust. Another study found that transgender service members reported discrimination from both genders and felt excluded from their team, reducing trust within the unit. Nonetheless, research shows that trust can be cultivated with education, leadership support, and diversity training. Leaders should model positive behaviors, create safe spaces for communication, and foster empathy among soldiers to build trust within the team.
Promoting inclusivity and respect can reduce prejudices and stereotypes, enhancing trust and acceptance.
Relational trust is crucial for unit cohesion, morale, and resilience in LGBT-inclusive military teams but requires effort and commitment to maintain.
How does relational trust influence unit cohesion, morale, and resilience in LGBT-inclusive military teams?
Relational trust plays a significant role in enhancing unit cohesion, morale, and resilience in LGBT-inclusive military teams. Studies suggest that when members of a team are confident that their peers can be counted on to provide assistance when needed, they feel more secure and motivated to work together. This leads to better communication and coordination among team members, which ultimately improves performance.