The Senate Armed Services Committee held a confirmation hearing Thursday for Clifford Stanley, a retired Marine general who has been nominated as undersecretary of Personnel and Readiness within the Department of Defense — the position that oversees the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.
Stanley served 33 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, became the Marines' first African-American regimental commander, and retired in 2002 as a two-star general. Most recently, he was the president of Scholarship America, the nation’s largest nonprofit, private-sector scholarship organization.
The military’s gay ban was one of the main points of inquiry during the hearing, with Republican senator John McCain of Arizona, ranking member on the committee, providing the opening salvo on the issue.
“I would be remiss if I didn't mention a challenge that will probably fall under your purview, and that would be changing the DOD's homosexual conduct policy,” McCain said during his opening statement, adding that he believes the current policy works. “I would be opposed to any attempt at modifying the existing policy in ways that will harm military readiness, placing upon the shoulders of military leaders an extra burden they simply do not need.”
But Democratic senators were the only members of the committee who directed questions on the matter to Stanley, whose answers generally provided little insight into his personal views.
Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, the committee's chairman, noted that Stanley would be responsible for implementing any change in the policy as well as studying the issue and making recommendations.
“Will you give us your best objective opinion on the question of whether or not ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ should be maintained or dropped,” asked Levin.
“Yes, senator, I will,” Stanley answered.
Sen. Mark Udall of Colorado said that when President Barack Obama pledged last month to end the ban, he “sent a clear message to every service member in uniform — straight and gay, regardless of service or rank — that this change was coming.”
Udall noted that some Congress members believe the president may include repeal of the policy among the recommendations he submits to Congress for next year’s Defense budget.
“Is that a recommendation that you are prepared to support?” Udall asked.
“Senator, I clearly recognize that this is a very sensitive issue, it is an issue that I'm prepared to address if confirmed,” Stanley answered. He listed a number of sources from whom he would seek input on the matter, including the Pentagon, Congress, the respective service chiefs in particular, and military experts.
“This is a very very challenging subject, but one that I know we can get our arms around,” said Stanley. “I have to provide, based upon that input, a recommendation to Secretary Gates.”
Sen. Roland Burris of Illinois questioned Stanley about how he would treat pending discharges, a potential reference to the fact that Defense secretary Robert Gates is looking into ways to soften implementation of the policy.
“They would fall under the existing statute, as I understand it,” said Stanley.
Burris responded, “We're hoping we can get something done in this Congress with reference to that that would free up your hands, because we need all volunteers who will commit to serve this country of ours to be able to serve and to serve in a capacity that's honorable.”
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