NOTES TOP MILITARY BRASS OPPOSE REPEAL

“The members of our armed forces are the best trained and most motivated military personnel in the world,” stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Sixth).  “Having served in the U.S. Air Force, I realize that those in our military do not enjoy the full freedoms of civilians in this nation, and Congress must exercise careful deliberation in repealing any law that could undermine the effectiveness of our men and women in uniform.”

The House today approved H.R. 2965, the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act.  “In testimony in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee on December 3, 2010, the chiefs of staff for the Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps cautioned against repealing the law,” noted Stearns.  “General George Casey, the Army Chief of Staff, stated, ‘I believe that it [repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell at this time] would increase the risk on our soldiers, particularly on our soldiers that are deployed in combat.’”

Stearns also cited the testimony of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James Amos, who said “If the law is changed…it has strong potential for disruption at the small unit level, as it will no doubt divert leadership attention away from an almost singular focus on preparing units for combat.”  Added Stearns, “While we are engaged in two wars, this is not the time to repeal this law, a move that our top military commanders maintain would undermine our combat operations.”