The Best Quotes from Military Leaders on Repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Yet another military leader added their voice to the growing chorus of military brass calling for an end to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the policy that has resulted in nearly 13,000 soldiers being fired from the military because of their sexual orientation.  The latest is Clifford Alexander, who was the former Secretary of the Army under President Jimmy Carter and the first African American to hold the post. Alexander spoke with Democracy Now's Amy Goodman, and went so far as to call "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" absurdity.  Below we'll give what we think are five of the best quotes from military leaders denouncing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and calling for its repeal.

Former Secretary of the Army, Clifford Alexander:

"The policy is an absurdity and borderline on being an obscenity. What it does is cause people to ask of themselves that they lie to themselves, that they pretend to be something that they are not. There is no empirical evidence that would indicate that it affects military cohesion. There is a lot of evidence to say that the biases of the past have been layered onto the United States Army."

Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. John M. Skalikashvili:

While the proper timing of repealing "don't ask, don't tell" remains uncertain, it is evident to me that a policy change is inevitable. More than three-quarters of the public favors the change. Polls show that even a majority of Republicans support allowing openly gay people to serve. Within the military, the climate has changed dramatically since 1993. Conversations I've held with service members make clear that, while the military remains a traditional culture, that tradition no longer requires banning open service by gays. There will undoubtedly be some teething pains, but I have no doubt our leadership can handle it.

Iraq War Veteran and U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, challenging a witness during "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" hearings in the U.S. House:

You’re basically asserting that straight men and women in our military aren’t professional enough to serve openly with gay troops while completing their military missions. You know as a former Army officer I can tell you I think that’s an insult to me and to many of the soldiers. To answer your question, Mr. Jones, it was 24 countries that allow military personnel to serve openly without any detrimental impact on unit cohesion.

Three-star Retired Lieutenant General Claudia Kennedy:

Army values are taught to soldiers from their earliest days in the Army.  Those values are: Loyalty, duty, mutual respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. We teach our soldiers that these are the values we expect them to live up to. I believe that as an institution, our military needs to live up to the values we demand of the service members. Military leaders need to respect all service members. We need to recognize that loyalty and selfless service are exhibited equally, by service members of every color, gender and sexual orientation.

Retired United States Navy Vice Admiral and U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak (and possibly a candidate for PA Senate, if he runs against Arlen Specter):

We have to correct this. It's just not right.  I can remember being out there in command, and someone would come up to you and start to tell you -- and you just want to say, no, I don't want to lose you, you're too good.