Pentagon Report Shows U.S. Military Can Handle Repeal of DADT
Servicemembers United, the nation's largest organization of gay and lesbian troops and veterans, today hailed the release of the final report of the Pentagon's Comprehensive Review Working Group on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
"This thorough and comprehensive report makes clear to lawmakers and the American people once and for all that the U.S. military is capable of handling the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' The questions are now answered and the debate is now settled," said Alexander Nicholson, Executive Director of Servicemembers United and a former U.S. Army Human Intelligence Collector who was discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." "It's now up to the Senate to bring the defense authorization bill back to the floor, allow 10 to 20 amendments to be debated on each side, and get this bill passed. We have the votes now if the process is fair."
During the course of the comprehensive review, Servicemembers United met with the Working Group's co-chairs and staff several times and submitted numerous memoranda on a variety of topics for the Working Group's consideration. Servicemembers United also arranged for the Working Group's co-chairs and staff to meet with a group of 30 gay and lesbian veterans and another group of 15 gay and lesbian military partners during the course of the review.
