Study: Repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell had no negative impact on US military
A new study has revealed that the repeal of the ban on openly gay people serving in the US military, one year on, had no negative impact on the US military.
The University Of California Los Angeles Palm Center released the study, the first academic study of its kind, on Monday.
According to the findings of the study, cohesion, recruitment, retention, violence and harassment, or morale were all unaffected by the repeal.
Some negative opinions were reported, but they were met with an equal number of positives, and no overall negative impact was seen.
“In balance, DADT repeal has enhanced the military’s ability to pursue its mission.”
Last month, US Marine Commandant General James Amos said the repeal had gone smoothly: “I don’t think there is a problem,” said General Amos. “I don’t see it. I don’t hear about it.”
Co-authors of the study include professors at the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, and U.S. Marine Corps War College, reported LGBTQnation.com.
One of the authors, Tammy Schultz, professor and director of national security and joint warfare at the U.S. Marine Corps War College, said:
“I just have so much respect for members of the armed services and would never have wanted to hurt someone,” she said. “The fact that we didn’t find that, personally I felt relief that I was right, honestly.”
The study looked at military chaplains, who were said to be the most likely to leave the military after the repeal, but the Pentagon reported that only three, out of thousands, had.
A spokesperson for the Pentagon had said that Defense Secretary, Leon Panetta, had instructed Pentagon officials to mark the celebration of pride month.
He noted the importance of recognising the service of gay and lesbian people serving in the US military.
