Repeal "don't ask, don't tell" and let the Pentagon do the rest

Current efforts to end “don’t ask, don’t tell” have focused on repealing the law and on replacing it with a policy that requires equal treatment of gay, lesbian and bisexual troops. This is a tougher sell to moderates in Congress and has the downside of perpetuating congressional meddling in military policy.

By contrast, the “repeal only” option would leave to the Pentagon any questions about the possibility, content and timing of policy changes, while eliminating the law that straitjackets military leaders’ ability to craft the most sensible policy. Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who also signed the letter, wrote that they “oppose any legislation that seeks to change this policy prior to the completion” of the study. But repeal-only, without language instructing the Pentagon on what to do, would not impose change on the military. Rather, it would allow the Defense Department to study and implement the change as the military deems fit, while fully respecting the review that is underway.