Schwartz: More study needed on gay ban - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Schwartz: More study needed on gay ban

When asked Tuesday by congressmen about his opinion of ending the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz circled around the issue but did not land on either side.

“This not the time to perturb the force … without careful deliberations,” Schwartz told the House Armed Services Committee.

Schwartz and Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley were on Capitol Hill on Monday to testify about the Air Force’s 2011 budget request.

Schwartz said the issue of allowing openly gay men and women to serve needs more study and survey of service members, and that he backs Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ decision to conduct a year-long review of repealing the law.

In 2009, more than 70 airmen left the service because of “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

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Study argues for quick repeal of gay policy