The Washington Post leaks the results of the much-anticipated Pentagon Working Group Study on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", which is scheduled to be officially released this afternoon.
The topline: Repealing the 17-year-old policy presents "little to no" risk to the armed forces.
'"According to a survey sent to 400,000 service members, 69 percent of those responding reported that they had served with someone in their unit who they believed to be gay or lesbian. Of those who did, 92 percent stated that their unit's ability to work together was very good, good, or neither good nor poor, according to the sources.
"Combat units reported similar responses, with 89 percent of Army combat units and 84 percent of Marine combat units saying they had good or neutral experiences working with gays and lesbians. At the same time, the report found that 30 percent of those surveyed overall—and between 40 and 60 percent of the Marine Corps—either expressed concern or predicted a negative reaction if Congress were to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" law, which allows gays and lesbians to serve in the military on the condition that they keep their sexuality a secret."
"The Defense Department will formally release the report about 2:30 p.m. ET today, but officials are briefing lawmakers and other stakeholders on the findings in advance. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen and the report's co-authors, Defense Department General Counsel Jeh C. Johnson and Army Gen. Carter F. Ham will brief reporters later today. The quartet will testify Thursday before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Johnson and Ham concluded that repeal could bring about some limited and isolated disruptions in the short term, but expressed confidence that the Defense Department could adjust and accommodate changes in the long term, according to the sources."
WaPo reported this morning: "President Obama is expected to receive a copy of the report today and will certify its findings along with Gates and Mullen. He met Monday with members of the Joint Chiefs to discuss the report, according to White House officials who did not provide further details."
The Pentagon Working Group Study closely reflects the view of the broader population. According to a November survey by the Pew Research Center, 58 percent of Americans favored allowing gays to serve openly in the armed forces while 27 percent opposed.
I am still a little confused...they don't think that there are Gays in the military already? I guess now if it is open how would they carry themselves? Better be like they were trained to do.
Posted by: Cedric | 30 November 2010 at 11:58