Tomorrow Congressional votes are expected on the repeal of the controversial "don't ask don't tell" policy that prevents gays and lesbians from openly serving in the U.S. military. This occurs against a backdrop of widespread support for military service of gays and lesbians -- both within the military and from the American people. Military leaders at the highest level have spoken out on the subject. America's highest ranking uniformed military officer, Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Michael Mullen, has strongly stated his personal opinion that repeal "is the right thing to do." Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Colin Powell and General John Shalikashvili have also made similar comments. But, perhaps more importantly, the vast majority of young veterans say that they are comfortable in the presence of gays and lesbians. There is no evidence to suggest that gays and lesbians serving openly in the military would affect unit cohesion. A number of studies have explored this claim - including an article in Joint Forces Quarterly that won the prestigious Secretary of Defense National Security Essay Competition - and all have shown that that there is no evidence to support it. Countries with similar militaries - including several of our closest allies, such as Britain, Canada and Israel -- successfully have gays and lesbians serve openly. Finally, the existing policy comes at a cost. By dismissing patriotic servicemen and women because of their sexuality, we limit the talent that is available at a time when America is in two wars and facing challenges around the world. For example, of the 13,000 people that have been dismissed since the DADT policy has been enacted, at least 1,000 held "critical occupations," such as interpreters and engineers. A particularly harmful example is the dismissal of 320 service members with vital language skills such as Arabic and Farsi only a few months after the fall of Baghdad. The discriminatory practice of prohibiting gays and lesbians from serving in the military is a harmful policy that is meant to prevent a problem that doesn't exist. It is no wonder that the military and the American people want to repeal it. Congress should keep that in mind tomorrow.
