“While a repeal would require some changes to regulations, the key to success, as with most things military, is training, education, and, above all, strong and principled leadership up and down the chain of command.” As Delivered Remarks

Nov. 30, 2010

“This is without question a complex social and cultural issue. But at the end of the day, whatever the decision of our elected leaders may be, we in uniform have an obligation to follow orders. When those orders involve significant change, such as this would, we need to find ways to lead the way forward.” As Prepared for Delivery

Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff
Nov. 30, 2010

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2010 – The U.S. military can manage allowing gay servicemembers to serve openly, provided the change is handled in an orderly and reasonable manner as outlined in the working group's report, the group's co-chairs told Congress. Story

REPORTS

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2010 – Congress should repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law now to ensure a systematic and orderly implementation of gays being permitted to serve openly in the military, said Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Story

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2010 – Training and education are key factors to overcoming resistance in the ranks if Congress repeals the law banning gays from serving openly in the military, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said today.

Morrell told MSNBC’s Chuck Todd and Savannah Guthrie that while some resistance exists among servicemembers, especially in combat units, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates doesn’t see it as insurmountable. Story

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2010 – In a statement issued today, President Barack Obama urged the Senate to act swiftly so he can sign the repeal of the so-called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law this year, citing the Defense Department’s report as proof that the nation “can transition to a new policy in a responsible manner.” ...

"Today’s report confirms that a strong majority of our military men and women and their families—more than two thirds—are prepared to serve alongside Americans who are openly gay and lesbian." Story

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2010 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates urged the Senate to repeal the so-called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law this year. ...

“I am determined to see that if the law is repealed,” he said, “the changes are implemented in such a way as to minimize any negative impact on the morale, cohesion and effectiveness of combat units that are deployed, or about to deploy to the front lines.” Story | Audio Podcast | Video | Transcript

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2010 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff today fully endorsed the report of the working group that assessed the impact of a possible repeal of the law that bans gay men and women from serving openly in the military. During a Pentagon news conference, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen called the working group’s recommendations “solid, defensible conclusions.” Story | Video | Transcript

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2010 – The risks associated with overturning law and policies to allow gays to serve openly in the military are low, if defense officials and military leaders allow the proper amount of time to train troops on the change, according to the co-chairmen of the Pentagon working group. Story | Transcript

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2010 – Defense Department officials today released an 87-page plan, structured much like a military operations order, laying out the Comprehensive Review Working Group’s recommendations for implementing a possible repeal of the so-called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law. Story