The deadline to turn in the Pentagon’s “don’t ask-don’t tell” survey is Sunday. So far, more than 100,000 service members have completed the confidential form, a Defense Department spokeswoman told the Daily Report Thursday. But that still leaves nearly 300,000 surveys yet to be turned in. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Wednesday made a final appeal for service members to participate. He and Adm. Mike Mullen, Joint Chiefs Chairman, have said the troops’ input is critical in understanding the potential impact to unit readiness and cohesion if the Clinton-era law is repealed that bans homosexuals from serving openly in the military. DOD sent out the surveys to the active duty and reserve components July 8. Some of the questions address privacy issues, such as living conditions, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell told reporters last month. (For more on this issue, see Proceed Cautiously from the Daily Report archives.)
Unit commanders are being told to separate service members who can’t shave their cheeks and chin for medical reasons for more than a year, according to new guidance from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
