Retired U.S. Military Officials Call On Congress To Allow Openly Gay Men And Women Into The Armed Forces

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - The U.S. military's controversial "don't ask, don't tell" policy is coming under fire on the 14th anniversary of its adoption by former military top brass, including 28 retired general and admirals, who issued a letter to Congress Friday, urging them to repeal it. Among the signatories is Gen. Shalikashvili Gen. John M. Shalikashvili, who was chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff when the policy was drafted.

Congress adopted the Department of Defense policy popularly known as "don't ask, don't tell" in 1993, as a condition to allowing gays in the military. It prohibits commanders from asking service members about their sexual orientation absent "credible information" suggesting that they might be homosexual. It also mandates separation from service for gays and lesbians who publicly reveal their sexuality.

"Those of us signing this letter have dedicated our lives to defending the rights of our citizens to believe whatever they wish," the letter reads. "As Gen. Colin Powell, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs said when the ... policy was enacted, it is not the place of the military or those in senior leadership to make moral judgments."

The letter claims that 65,000 homosexuals are currently serving in the armed forces. It also references over one million gay veterans who "have served our nation honorably."

Supporters of "don't ask, don't tell," including Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, who told the Chicago Tribune last March that homosexuality is "immoral," have argued that openly gay servicemembers could degrade unit cohesion and lower the bar on the level of "discipline" required of military personnel.

Over 10,000 members of the armed forces have discharged from their posts under the policy, according to government statistics. Many of them, including over 300 linguists, had specialized skills.

While all Republican presidential candidates support the code of silence, most Democrats support repealing the measure. John Edwards and Sen. Barak Obama, who likened it to racial segregation, have been most vocal in their condemnation.

Current top Pentagon officials have not taken a stance on the issue, saying their responsibility is simply to follow the mandate of Congress. "It is the law and it's what we carry out," Adm. Mike Mullen, the current Joint Chiefs chairman, told the Military Times.

A rally was held on the Mall Friday to pay tribute to the servicemembers discharged under, and highlight opposition to, "don't ask, don't tell." It was organized by a loose coalition of gay rights and veterans organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, Servicemembers United, Log Cabin Republicans and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.