DADT Survey Response Under 30%

Sunday was the deadlines for troops to turn in the Defense Department's "don't ask, don't tell" attitudes survey, and according to the Pentagon, 109,883 surveys were received — a 27.5% response rate.

According to researchers at the University of Texas at Austin, the average e-mail or online survey should pull in a 30% to 40% response rate. A similarly structured 2010 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey conducted by the Office of Personnel Management managed a 52% participation rate.

The survey was designed to help military leaders "assess the impacts, if any, repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell’ might have on military readiness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention," according to Defense spokeswoman Cynthia Smith.

Gay groups had a mixed response to the survey, with leaders from the Human Rights Campaign, Servicemembers United, and the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network all expressing concern.