Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Pentagon Report on Don't Ask Don't Tell

I support repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell, if it doesn't cause significant loss of combat effectiveness.  The New York Times tells us that the recent Pentagon report proves just that, stating that "Only 30 percent of the serving military believes that open service would be harmful".

While that number may be true overall, what concerns me are the opinions of combat troops.  The troops who are facing the most danger, and must live in close quarters in rugged conditions with their fellows.  Here the results are much more negative.  For example, on page 81, Table 17, Question 68c, 48.9% of Army Combat Arms and 59.7% of Marine Combat Arms respond negatively.

I have never served in the military.  Here I'd defer to the troops.  Much as I regret saying it, our serving combat troops are not ready for a repeal of DADT, especially in the middle of two wars.  I hope that ten years from now the results will be more favorable and the military will be ready.

Alternatively, it seems like the Air Force is the most ready to accept homosexuals.  Let it repeal DADT, and let's see the results in a few years.  If things go well, the other services will follow.