Does the Pentagon’s Report Justify a Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?”

The Pentagon released a much anticipated study today determining that gays serving openly in the military would not cause any substantial, long term problems. The report shows that 70 percent of troops say overturning the military’s controversial “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy won’t have a serious effect while 30 percent say it could have a negative impact on service, according to the Associated Press. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who ordered the study, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen support the repeal of the military’s 17-year old ban on gays serving openly in the military. The Defense Department will formally release the report at 2:30 this afternoon. The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold hearings later this week to examine the ban’s repeal, which is currently attached to a 2011 defense authorization bill sitting in the Senate. The House has already approved the repeal. But Republican Sen. John McCain, the ranking member of Armed Services, has expressed concern that the results of the report alone should not justify a repeal of the policy.

What do you think? Does the Pentagon’s report justify a repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?” Take our poll and post your thoughts below.

Does the Pentagon’s report justify a repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?”

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