Majority of
Military Officers Support DADT

While recruitment efforts have been ramped up in light of the Iraq war, most high-ranking military officers are still not in favor of allowing gays to serve openly in the military. A survey by the Center for a New American Security shows that only 22% of officers support lifting the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays serving openly in the armed services. The survey, given to 3,400 military officers with a rank of major or lieutenant commander and above, will be published in the March-April issue of Foreign Policy, according to The Washington Blade.

Male commanders made up 97% of survey responders, and 72% were age 61 or older. Retired Navy captain Joan Darrah said this group of high-ranking military officials is out of touch, adding, however, that the finding of 22% in support of lifting the ban is "pretty good." Darrah remained in the closet throughout nearly three decades of service to the Navy.

Seventy-eight percent of the survey respondents said that the United States should grant citizenship to immigrants for service in the military, 58% would permit lowering education standards, and 38% would reinstate the draft, according to the Blade. (The Advocate)