11/10/2009
Study: Support for 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Erodes Within Military
Researchers from the RAND corporation and the University of Florida have released the results of a new study which shows support for "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has declined from within the military ranks:
The study found that just 40 percent of the military members surveyed expressed support for the policy, while 28 percent opposed it and 33 percent were neutral—less support than seen in previous surveys.
About 20 percent of those polled said they were aware of a gay or lesbian member in their unit, and about half of those said their presence was well known. In addition, three-quarters of those surveyed said they felt comfortable or very comfortable in the presence of gays or lesbians, according to the study...
...Researchers found no significant differences regarding attitudes toward gay and lesbian military members among members of the different services. Other findings from the study include:
* Compared to previous studies of military members, support for the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban continues to decline. The earliest polls in 1993 showed 75 percent agreed with the ban, 8 percent unsure and 16 percent were against it.
* The important factors for cohesion and readiness were officer/non-commissioned officer quality, training quality and equipment quality. Beyond these factors, knowing a gay or lesbian person in the unit was not associated significantly with ratings of unit cohesion or readiness.
* The most frequently endorsed arguments in support of integrating gays and lesbians were those that prioritized performance and qualifications over exclusionary practices.
Of course, Congress may be too busy this year or next to do anything about it.
Posted 11:28 AM EST by Andy Towle in Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Military, News | Permalink
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Interesting survey, but the question is moot. It doesn't matter what the military ranks think about whether DADT should be ended. They are military professionals, and will do as they are told. End of argument.
Posted by: The Milkman | Nov 10, 2009 11:40:35 AM
i wonder if "think tanks" and Univ of Florida spent too much time surveying the military during Truman's admin about whether they supported blacks intergrating into the military, or not. Like Milkman pointed out, they follow orders--if their commander in chief would only direcr them in such a fashion.
And this nonsense about unit cohesion--who is buying this baloney? Any 5 year old can look at our allies' militaries and see they all have dealt w/ this issue years ago. Does Israel still have a workable military? Do European militaries? What the hell kind of idiot needs the Rand Corporation to investigate this crap at this stage of the game? It seems we've been hearing about "unit cohesion" since Clinton was in office on this topic. LAME.
Posted by: Daniel | Nov 10, 2009 12:17:57 PM
I honestly believe we have internet porn to thank for this. Most men - bi and straight have now watched masculine cool men have sex with each other - even if out of curiosity.
The curtain has been torn back and they realize many gay men are just horny guys just like them having a good time.
Posted by: RJP3 | Nov 10, 2009 12:27:17 PM
RJP3, your post has to be the stupidest comment I've ever read on this site. Porn with masculine men? Really? You'd think that fems never had sex at all if you read these "only str8" acting posts on this site.
Posted by: sugarrhill | Nov 10, 2009 4:23:14 PM