Mullen Asserts Grip on DADT Repeal

In an apparent departure from statements marked by "how" to repeal the "don't' ask, don't tell" policy, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen spoke to a town hall of military service members Wednesday and stressed that the "don't ask, don't tell" repeal amendment would give him a say in "whether" to implement the change.

According to the American Forces Press Service, at the town hall before 900 people in Colorado, "Mullen called the 'certification trigger' provided in the proposed amendment critical.

"That trigger is to certify whether we should move ahead with that change, even if the law were to repeal it," said Mullen, according to the American Forces Press Service.

Mullen also indicated that the issue is not a particularly pressing one among military crowds.

"Mullen brought up the issue at the end of his town hall session after no one had asked about it," reported the press service. "He occasionally gets questions about it when he meets with service members, the chairman told reporters traveling with him, but just as often doesn't. 'I haven't found it to be a particularly burning issue,' he said."