“A Pentagon study group has concluded that the military can lift the ban on gays serving openly in uniform with only minimal and isolated incidents of risk to the current war efforts, according to two people familiar with a draft of the report, which is due to President Obama on Dec. 1.

“More than 70 percent of respondents to a survey sent to active-duty and reserve troops over the summer said the effect of repealing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy would be positive, mixed or nonexistent, said two sources familiar with the document. The survey results led the report’s authors to conclude that objections to openly gay colleagues would drop once troops were able to live and serve alongside them…

“Among other questions, the survey asked if having an openly gay person in a unit would have an effect in an intense combat situation. Although a majority of respondents signaled no strong objections, a significant minority is opposed to serving alongside openly gay troops. About 40 percent of the Marine Corps is concerned about lifting the ban, according to one of the people familiar with the report…

“Despite the predictions or fears of groups for and against repealing the ban, the report does not anticipate a large ‘coming out’ by gay men and lesbians serving in uniform, said the person who had read the full draft.”

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“‘I would say that leaving ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ behind us is inevitable,’ Gates said during a joint interview with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Australia that aired Tuesday night on ABC’s ‘Nightline.’ ‘The question is whether it is done by legislation that allows us to do it in a thoughtful and careful way or whether it is struck down by the courts.’

“The defense secretary warned that leaving the decision to the federal courts, which are considering a challenge to the 17-year-old ban, would limit the Pentagon’s ability to carry out changes and cause greater confusion for those in uniform. Because of recent court decisions, Gates said, the policy changed four times in a two-week period in October.”

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“Gen. James Amos told reporters in San Diego that he was concerned about a possible loss of unit cohesion and combat readiness if the ban is overturned.

“‘There’s risk involved,’ Amos said. ‘I’m trying to determine how to measure that risk. This is not a social thing. This is combat effectiveness.’…

“‘We’re talking about our young men — laying out, sleeping alongside of one another and sharing death, fear and loss of brothers,’ he said.

“Amos said that, unlike other services, the Marine Corps requires many of its members to share rooms while in garrison. That complicates the issue, he said.”

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“While I was glad for the opportunity to voice my support for the repeal, as I completed the survey I couldn’t help but conclude that the basic premise of the survey — that repeal could somehow affect or is even relevant to family readiness — is, well, ridiculous.

“I don’t claim to speak for all military spouses, but I can say that military families are faced with far more pressing issues than worrying whether the person sitting next to them at the unit picnic is gay.

“There’s the relentless sense of disquiet and apprehension when a family member is deployed to a combat zone. Raising the children alone, taking care of the house, meeting financial obligations. After the deployment, when the service member has returned home, there’s the readjustment period. Compassion fatigue. And, all too often, ongoing treatment of the deployed service member for medical problems, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or suicide prevention.”