DEFENDING FREEDOM

Insights and Evidence

How to End 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Since its enactment more than 16 years ago, DADT has resulted in the discharge of more than 13,000 patriotic and highly qualified men and women. This not only undermines military readiness, but it also costs the taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars spent on training and replacing these people.

In addition, unlike 16 years ago, the US is waging two wars and "Don't ask, Don't Tell" is no longer supported by the majority of the American people. Even more, twenty-four other countries including Great Britain have already permitted openly gay men and women to serve and proven that doing so is more difficult in theory than in practice. Yet, even though President Obama has again renewed his stance on the issue, declaring that "preventing patriotic Americans from serving our country weakens our national security," 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' still remains in effect.

Read the former Assistant Secretary of Defense Lawrence J. Korb's full analysis in the original article.

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