Pentagon sends out survey on gay troops

Pentagon sends out survey on gay troops
By William H. McMichael - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Jul 7, 2010 18:55:56 EDT

A confidential survey of 400,000 active-duty and reserve troops’ attitudes on service by openly gay people appears to lean heavily on questions about teamwork, performance, mission completion and morale, according to a draft copy obtained by Military Times.

The actual questions sent out at midday Wednesday remain under wraps. The Pentagon confirmed the authenticity of the draft copy but said it is an earlier version, and refused to spell out what it described as “substantial” changes.

“We want the service members to have the opportunity to open it and read it before they read it in the press,” said Pentagon spokeswoman Cynthia Smith.

But if the draft version is any guide, the general tone of the survey questions — developed by the independent research group Westat in cooperation with the Pentagon — leans toward the potential impact that repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell” might have on unit performance.

It underscores Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ March 2 guidance that the 10-month study on the impact of repeal be carried out in a “thorough and dispassionate” manner.

Were the troops surveyed when Truman was President re: integration of the armed forces, for instance?

I read about this at daily.kos. Pam Spaulding posted about it. You should read some of the questions on that survey....questions of the "would it bother you to shower next to an openly gay man or lesbian" variety. Tells you all you need to know about the true feelings of the Pentagon and DADT repeal.

Compared to the rest of the world, they are just tender flowers swaying in the breeze.

Why is it that the rest of the civilized world has no problem "maintaining unit cohesion" will the participation of gay soldiers?

Gimme a break.