Amos: Repeal Won't Cause Loss of Marines

Marine commandant Gen. James Amos, who vocally opposed repealing "don't ask, don't tell," now says he does not anticipate losing any troops due to the new policy allowing gay and lesbian personnel to serve openly.

When asked Friday about the mass exodus that Sen. John McCain warned his colleagues would happen if "don't ask, don't tell" was repealed, Amos told reporters, "I haven't had any indication yet at all, not at all." He added that when he addressed some 12,000 Marines about the repeal, they were compliant and willing to adapt to the new law, according to AOL News.

"It would be naive to think that somewhere down the road there's not going to be issues," he said. "I think there probably will be in probably all the services, but I don't think it's going to be of any magnitude that's going to cause much more than a blip. So I'm very optimistic."

A study by the Pentagon in 2010 showed Marines had the most negative views about gay people and repealing "don't ask, don't tell" with 58% of those in combat arms voicing opposition.

Amos recently appeared in a video with Sgt. Maj. Carlton W. Kent, the top enlisted Marine, advocating a peaceful implementation process.

"I want to be clear to all Marines: We will step out smartly to faithfully implement this new law," Amos said in the video last month.