FACT SHEET HIV DISEASE, AIDS AND THE MILITARY * HIV disease/AIDS is not a gay disease. The virus is transmitted through sexual activity -- both gay and straight, the sharing of needles during drug use, and other blood-to- blood contact. In the words of the Pentagon's own spokesperson, Colonel Doug Hart, "[HIV policy] is completely separate from the issue of homosexuality." * 70% of AIDS cases worldwide have resulted from heterosexual transmission. Given the history of contact between military servicepeople stationed overseas and the local populace, heterosexual transmission of HIV should be the primary concern of military base commanders overseas. * Gay men are not the only group in society to have suffered disproportionately in the early phases of the AIDS epidemic. African-Americans and Hispanics have also experienced high rates of infection. Yet, most people would not suggest banning members of these groups from service as an HIV prevention measure. * Gay men have always been present in the military. Simply allowing them to acknowledge their sexual orientation will not affect the spread of HIV disease. The effort to control the spread of HIV in the military must be directed towards all modes of transmission. Simply barring gay men from service will not suffice as AIDS control policy. * The military has an extensive HIV testing program in which all applicants for military service who are HIV infected are denied enlistment. Moreover, all active duty and reserve personnel are tested at least once a year for HIV infection. Servicepeople who become infected with the HIV virus after entering the military are not assigned to deployable units. Lifting the ban does not undo any aspect of this extensive testing and restriction program. * The concern about transmitting the HIV virus through person-to-person blood transfusions on the battlefield is unwarranted. The military only uses blood supplies that have been obtained in advance, screened for the HIV virus, and cross-matched with the recipient to insure compatible blood type, even in combat. Direct blood transfusion is not done. * * * * Prepared by the Legal/Policy Department of the Campaign for Military Service. 2707 Massachussetts Ave, NW Washington, DC 20009. (202) 265-6666.