No Reprimand for Outspoken General

An Army general who publicly expressed his opposition to allowing openly gay people to serve in the military will not be reprimanded for his actions.

Lt. Gen. Benjamin Mixon wrote an open letter published March 8 in Stars and Stripes in which he said it wasn't likely that a majority of service members actually support repealing the Defense Department's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Mixon is commander of the U.S. Army's Pacific-based operations.

While Defense secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Adm. Michael Mullen said last week they would not support his statements, he was also expected to be reprimanded, according to reports.

According to The Washington Post, Army chief of staff Gen. George Casey told him his actions were inappropriate. Army secretary John McHugh told reporters Wednesday, however, that Mixon would not be forced to step down, nor would he receive a formal letter of reprimand.