Editor:

The Pentagon’s study regarding the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is clear: The military is ready to end this policy. The study showed that open service will have little to no effect on combat readiness, unit cohesion, or troop morale. We hope that our leaders in the Senate will follow the example set by Defense Secretary Gates, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Mullen, and other top military leaders by working to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” before the end of the year.

Dozens of polls have shown that over 70% of the American people support the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” It is clearly the desire of the people for Congress to act now.

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is a matter of justice. The President has called on Congress to repeal DADT because it is the right thing to do and because anyone brave enough to stand up and defend our nation deserves to do so openly, regardless of sexual orientation.

The repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is a matter of national security. DADT prevents thousands of patriotic Americans from serving our nation, many with specialized skills that are desperately needed to fight the war in Afghanistan — such as Arabic linguists, dozens of whom have been discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen both support the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” In recent days, Secretary Gates has implored Congress to repeal the policy before the end of the year.

The National Defense Authorization Act, as currently written, would ensure that military leadership is fully involved in the process and that the recommendations of the Pentagon study form the foundation of repeal.

Adam Boudreaux

Picayune