Data 'Buried' in Report Supports DADT

Critics say that despite the Pentagon's effort to put a positive face on it, the much-discussed review of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy actually shows that unit cohesion, effectiveness, privacy and religious liberty would be severely harmed if homosexuals were allowed to serve openly in the military.

The report is at the heart of a debate about whether the Senate should pass a bill during the December lame duck session to overturn the 17-year-old policy.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Michael Mullen -- each of whom opposes Don't Ask, Don't Tell and wants to see it repealed -- appeared at a news conference Nov. 30 to discuss the 256-page study, which was released after a 10-month review that included a survey of 115,000 military personnel. Both Gates and Mullen were appointed by President Obama, who also wants to see the policy overturned. The service chiefs of the four military branches are on record as supporting the current policy and will testify before a Senate committee Friday, Dec. 3. Gates and Mullen will appear Thursday.