Petraeus Urges DADT Repeal

Gen. David Petraeus on Tuesday told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he believes "the time has come" to consider the abolition of "don't ask, don't tell" but supported an exhaustive review of the policy's effects on recruitment and unit cohesion before either a moratorium or legislative repeal is considered.

The CENTCOM commander was scheduled to deliver an eight-minute statement on his personal beliefs regarding DADT, but was cut short by the committee chairman, Michigan senator Carl Levin, due to time constraints. Petraeus's brief remarks were in line with those of other top military leaders who have recently testified before Congress.

Petraeus's Tuesday testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee:

"I believe the time has come to consider a change to 'don't ask, don't tell.' But I think it should be done in a thoughtful and deliberative manner that should include the conduct of the review that Secretary Gates has directed that would consider the views in the force on the change of policy. It would include an assessment of the likely effects on recruiting, retention, morale, and cohesion and would include an identification of what policies might be needed in the event of a change and recommend those polices as well."