Military Times Surveys Troops on DADT

Living in an area with a huge military presence, one gets to see first hand the lunacy and religious based discrimination behind Don't Ask, Don't Tell ("DADT") on literally a daily basis. Gay and lesbian members of the military are everywhere and it's hard to go to a gay club without running into members of the military. Just last night we attended "steak night" at The Wave and a friend of my was there with a date of sorts - a cute, totally straight looking young Navy guy. While the military continues to recruit heavily from the South and rural areas - and thus recruits its share of homophobes - among the younger military personnel, the level of anti-gay mentality is fading. A new survey done by the Military Times to be published on Monday looks like it will confirm this observation. Unfortunately, it only takes one homophobe to ruin some one's career as happened to a formerly submarine based sailor where - even most of the ship knew he was gay and could have cred less about - one new bigot joined the ship and forced my friend out of the Navy. Here are some highlights from the Army Times:
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Opposition to gays serving openly in the military has declined sharply among those wearing the uniform today, the Military Times newspapers will report Monday. An exclusive survey of some 3,000 active-duty troops shows such opposition has fallen sharply from nearly two-thirds (65 percent) in 2004 to about half (51 percent) today. The survey results appear Monday in Army Times, Air Force Times, Navy Times and Marine Corps Times.
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The Military Times exclusive is based on survey results and in-depth interviews with military leaders, both gay and straight. These career-oriented officers and enlisted troops are among those who would largely be responsible for implementing changes to the Clinton-era law and policy.
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And in a first since the Army Times Publishing Co. began polling readers in 2003, the survey includes data on the prevalence of homosexuality within the ranks — information the Defense Department is unable to collect under the legal requirements of DADT.