First and foremost Israel's army isn't what has been subjected to stunning change: it's the enemy that is vastly different. Israel is fighting multinational organizations with different tactics, technology, and goals than Nasser or Sadat.
Back to the topic of discussion though, gay men and women don't consider themselves a race. They a group with a distinct identity; nothing wrong with that. Just because a few people act a certain way doesn't mean they all do--some people from New York like the Yankees; do all? No.
With regard to the issue of volunteer vs. compulsory service: anyone should be able to serve in the US Army. If a gay man or woman wants to and is fit to serve in the US army they, just as any other citizen has the right to do so. Sexuality becomes a distraction when it is treated as one. The Israeli army treats all of its soldiers the same: there expectations do not differ between gay or straight soldiers--all are expected to serve with discipline and bravery. The US Army is losing valuable men and women at a time when it cannot afford to.

Mr. McIntyre you just gave a talk in my Journalism class at the U of Maryland. Great job; it was very interesting talk. I'm posting to your blog, and specifically this one, because I read a fantastic article @ Foreign Policy. It's about Israel's military which does not exclude gay servicemen and women. Ironically it was in 1993--the same year "dont ask dont tell" began--that Israel opened its doors to committed soldiers, regardless of sexual orientation. This is a fantastic example of why DADT is obsolete and baseless in its foundations.

Here's a link to the article.
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/02/03/theyre_here_theyre_queer_its_no_big_deal?page=0,0

And thanks for the talk.