Private Contractor to Interview Gay Troops for Pentagon

In an effort to gather information on gay troops serving in the military without requiring that they come out, the Pentagon has hired an outside contractor to confidentially query gay service members and their families.

The review, part of the military's effort to phase out "don't ask, don't tell," is expected to cost $4.4 million. The contractor, Westat, a Maryland research firm with experience surveying military communities, will gather information from 350,000 troops and their families, including gay service members.

If a gay military member were to come out during an interview with Pentagon officials, it would mean that disciplinary action would have to be brought against him or her.

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