September 17, 2009 - Sixteen years ago, those in favor of banning openly gay and lesbian servicemembers were direct and no-nonsense about saying so, even if the assertions they made--gays in uniform would wreck military discipline and decimate the ranks of the all-volunteer services--essentially constituted a vote of no confidence in the professionalism of the United States military's personnel.

Now, as the policy is under increasing scrutiny, it's hard to get top brass--those who have yet to retire, anyway--to come out and give an opinion, even though some retired top officials have denounced the ban, including figures who supported it vociferously in the early 1990s.

Those who hoped that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, would issue a clear-cut opinion on the use and practical effectiveness of the ban on openly gay troops, popularly known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," proclaimed Adm. Mullen's long-awaited comments as unsatisfactory, given that the Admiral read generalities from a prepared statement that did not address DADT itself so much as advise that undoing the ban needs to happen in a careful manner, if at all.

A Sept. 15 article posted at The Hill reported that Mullen--who has yet to speak to the Senate Armed Services Committee about the issue--addressed DADT during confirmation proceedings reaffirming him as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

Last June, Adm. Mullen had spoken about the military's anti-gay ban, acknowledging the promises that President Obama had made during his campaign last year to overturn the ban.

Said Adm. Mullen on CNN's "State of the Union," "It's very clear what President Obama's intent here is. He intends to see this law change."

Adm. Mullen said he had spoken with Obama about the issue, offering the President his advice on how to proceed.

"What I've discussed in terms of the future is I think we need to move in a measured way," Adm. Mullen said.

The Admiral's comments on the occasion of his confirmation for his second term as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs did not waver from those earlier-expressed generalities.

Opined Adm. Mullen in his prepared statement, "Like any significant overhaul of military personnel policy, we must carefully consider its impact on military readiness.

"Whatever the decision, we will follow the law and remain focused on supporting our troops in--and preparing for--combat."

Though other nations have fully integrated their militaries with no ill effects, critics in the United States continue to claim that service by openly gay military members would "sexualize" the service and erode readiness.

Claims also continue to the effect that rather than following orders and doing their jobs, heterosexual servicemembers would be demoralized by having to work with openly gay colleagues.

Proponents of the ban's repeal say that these assertions are insulting to America's professional fighting force. Pro-repeal Congressman and Iraq veteran Patrick Murphy, Democrat of Pennsylvania, denounced such claims earlier this year, declaring, "I take it as a personal affront to our warriors."

Added Murphy, "To say that other countries' soldiers are professional enough to handle this and American soldiers aren't is really a slap in the face."

A review of the policy is expected to take place next month, at the urging of pro-repeal Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York.

The hearing will be conducted by the Senate Armed Services Committee, and will be chaired by Democratic Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, The Hill reported.

A support group for gay troops, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), expressed dissatisfaction with Adm. Mullen's noncommittal comments, with the organization's executive director, Aubrey Sarvis, quoted by The Hill as saying, "Unfortunately, Mullen did not come to the Senate today to give a ringing endorsement of President Obama's stated objective to end 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'"

Added Sarvis, "There were no signs or words from [Mullen] showing that he is aligned with his commander in chief on repealing [DADT]."

The Hill reported that Adm. Mullen had followed up his CNN comments from last June with an Aug. podcast on YouTube in which he said, "I've had discussions with all the service chiefs on several occasions. I've actually also spoken with the combatant commanders, who certainly represent military leadership throughout the world at my most recent conference.

"I've had internal discussions on my own staff," added the Chairman.

"There's a lot of focus with respect to this right now, and certainly when the law changes--we get to that point--we'll carry out the law."

Kilian Melloy reviews media, conducts interviews, and writes commentary for EDGEBoston, where he also serves as Assistant Arts Editor.

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