Homosexual

can remain in the Army

FRANKFURT, Germany (P) A U.S. Army board has decided that a self-admitted homosexual soldier can serve out his active duty time. The decision was made on grounds that the military might be able to rehabilitate him.

The administrative board hearing was held to determine whether the private first class should be discharged from the Army for homosexuality before his scheduled departure in June. V Corps headquarters announced.

The decision is subject to review by the headquarters itself or the Department of the Army in Washington.

The discharge proceeding was initiated by the soldier's company commander after the soldier admitted that he was a homosexual.

At the hearing. 1st Lt. Terry Roach, the soldier's counsel. noted "there is no overt or covert evidence that he had participated in homosexual practices in the Army."

The soldier told the board that Army officials did not ask him if he was a homosexual when he was drafted in 1972. Homosexuality is normally grounds for exemption from military service.

The soldier said he entered the Army willingly and did not want to leave it before his active duty time was up.