Don't Ask Don't Tell Report

• ptown_trojans_1

  

  The long awaited report on the impact of DADT was released today. Pretty much the repeal would have a low impact on military cohesion.
  

  Based on all we saw and heard, our assessment is that, when coupled with the prompt
  implementation of the recommendations we offer below, the risk of repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t
  Tell to overall military effectiveness is low. We conclude that, while a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t
  Tell will likely, in the short term, bring about some limited and isolated disruption to unit
  cohesion and retention, we do not believe this disruption will be widespread or long-lasting,
  and can be adequately addressed by the recommendations we offer below. Longer term,
  with a continued and sustained commitment to core values of leadership, professionalism,
  and respect for all, we are convinced that the U.S. military can adjust and accommodate this
  change, just as it has others in history.2
  Significant to our assessment are the following:
  The results of the Service member survey reveal a widespread attitude among a solid
  majority of Service members that repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell will not have a negative
  impact on their ability to conduct their military mission.3 The survey was conducted by
  Westat, a research firm with a long track record of conducting surveys for the U.S. military.
  The survey was one of the largest in the history of the military. We heard from over 115,000
  Service members, or 28% of those solicited. Given the large number of respondents, the
  margin of error for the results was less than ±1%, and the response rate was average for the
  U.S. military.

  http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2010/0610_gatesdadt/DADTReport_FINAL_20101130%28secure-hires%29.pdf
  
  
  That kind of goes against any argument for not repealing it as our men and women simply don't care about the issue.
  
  It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the Senate, especially with Senator McCain.
  http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2010/0610_gatesdadt/
• Writerbuckeye

  

  While I don't believe it will be an issue in today's military (allowing gays to openly serve), how it affects unit cohesion probably won't be known until it actually happens. No report, survey or whatever can accurately predict human interactions with 100 percent certainty.
  
  Don't Ask was a stupid, stupid policy, and the military has wasted millions of dollars ousting qualified people and then having to retrain others to take their place, especially when you consider that these folks volunteered to serve their country.
  
  I hope it gets repealed and all works out fine. Generally speaking I'm optimistic that it will.
• cbus4life

  Writerbuckeye;582308 wrote:While I don't believe it will be an issue in today's military (allowing gays to openly serve), how it affects unit cohesion probably won't be known until it actually happens. No report, survey or whatever can accurately predict human interactions with 100 percent certainty.
  
  Don't Ask was a stupid, stupid policy, and the military has wasted millions of dollars ousting qualified people and then having to retrain others to take their place, especially when you consider that these folks volunteered to serve their country.
  
  I hope it gets repealed and all works out fine. Generally speaking I'm optimistic that it will.

  
  Well said, Writer.
• I Wear Pants

  Indeed, good post Writer. I don't see how there are arguments against repealing DADT.
• ptown_trojans_1

  

  Writerbuckeye;582308 wrote:While I don't believe it will be an issue in today's military (allowing gays to openly serve), how it affects unit cohesion probably won't be known until it actually happens. No report, survey or whatever can accurately predict human interactions with 100 percent certainty.
  
  Don't Ask was a stupid, stupid policy, and the military has wasted millions of dollars ousting qualified people and then having to retrain others to take their place, especially when you consider that these folks volunteered to serve their country.
  
  I hope it gets repealed and all works out fine. Generally speaking I'm optimistic that it will.

  
  Agree 100%.
• stlouiedipalma

  Simply put, there are no good arguments against repealing DADT.
  
  That said, we need to get this off the table and start working on creating jobs.