Presentation of Westat\'s study conducted as part of the Department of Defense\'s review of the Don\'t Ask, Don\'t Tell policy. Presented as part of the Rockville Institute\'s Seminar Series on Contemporary Social Issues for 2011.

1. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy Presented by the Rockville Institute Shelley Perry, Ph.D Susan Berkowitz, Ph.D March 30, 2011

3. Data Collection Tasks

4. Questions of Interest

5. Survey Administration

6. Survey Findings

7. Qualitative Findings2

9. Morale

10. Military Effectiveness

11. Military Readiness

12. Retention

13. Recruitment

14. Family Readiness

15. Military Community Life3

18. Past experience with Service members believed to be gay or lesbian?

19. How demographic and service characteristics and military experiences affect Service members’ views about impact of repeal?

20. Main issues associated with repeal for Service members?5

22. How and from whom would spouses like to receive information or support about a repeal of DADT, if that occurs?

23. Does acquaintance with gay or lesbian individuals affect spouses’ views regarding the potential impact of a DADT repeal and, if so, how?6

24. Service Member Survey Administration Field Period: July 7, 2010 – August 15, 2010 Survey Completes: 115,052 7

25. Spouse Survey Administration Field Period: August 13, 2010 – September 27, 2010 Survey Completes: 44,266 8

26. Survey Findings

28. The strongest predictor of current unit effectiveness, morale, and readiness is their overall assessment of current unit cohesion

29. Having good leaders was the strongest predictor of current unit cohesion

30. When talking about the impact of repeal…

31. A majority of SMs believe that the effect of a repeal with be neutral

32. A smaller, but still substantial, group believes that repeal will affect their unit negatively

33. An even smaller group believes that repeal will affect their unit positively

34. This pattern holds true across all major areas of interest10

36. A majority of SMs (51%+) said repeal of DADT would have a neutral impact—that is, no effect or an effect that is equally positive and negative across the 4 measures.

37. A smaller but notable percentage of SMs said the impact would be negative (20%-33%).

38. A small percentage of SMs said the impact would be positive (5%-19%).11

41. Marine Corps members were more likely than other SMs to respond negatively about the impact of repeal

44. …20% definitely/probably intend to leave at the end of their current obligation

45. Regardless of current military career intentions, the majority of SMs said their military career plans will not change after repeal (55-65%)

46. 24% percent of SMs may consider leaving sooner than currently planned if DADT is repealed

48. more likely to consider staying in the military longer,

49. less likely to consider leaving sooner, and

50. more likely to say that their career plans will not change, compared with SMs without that experience

52. Among SMs currently willing to recommend military service…

53. 57% said repeal would have a neutral effect on their willingness to recommend military service;

55. SMs’ ratings of these units did not vary by whether the unit member believed to be G/L was a leader, coworker, or subordinate

56. When asked how much SMs’ beliefs that a unit member was G/L affected the unit, more than 1/2 responded “not at all”

58. Spouse views regarding the potential impact of a DADT repeal vary by the number of G/L acquaintances

60. Next most difficult challenge: “Treat SMs in the same manner regardless of their sexual orientation

63. Focus groups, town hall meetings, DoD inbox comments, open-ended survey comments, confidential dialogues

64. Analytic objective: What are participants’ views on how a potential repeal of DADT would affect various facets of the military?

65. Not a referendum (whether or not to repeal)22

66. Two distinct positions on repeal Similar to previous integration efforts 23

68. “I recommend repeal of DADT and believe Service members will make it work, just as they made it work when laws were changed to allow non-whites and females to serve their nation honorably and with pride.”24

69. Two distinct positions on repeal Similar to previous integration efforts Violation of religious beliefs 25

71. “For me personally, it’s morally wrong and socially unacceptable.”

72. “…Homosexuality is morally offensive. Like adultery, and drug use, I cannot tolerate homosexuality. I will not work side by side with someone that is an adulterer, a drug addict, or a homosexual.”26

73. Overarching Themes Similar to prior integration efforts Violates religious beliefs Civil Rights Civil Rights Military Image Core Values Leadership & guidance 27

75. “DADT is a violation of the 1st amendment right of freedom of expression. Homosexuals are in the military currently and are serving their country with pride. Why should it be up to the DoD to decide if somebody can openly serve as a homosexual?”28

76. Overarching Themes Violates religious beliefs Similar to prior integration efforts Civil Rights Civil Rights Military Image Core Values Leadership & guidance 29

78. “If the state favors the demands of the homosexual activists over the First Amendment, it is only a matter of time before the military censors the religious expression of its chaplains and marginalizes denominations that teach what the Bible says about homosexual behavior.”30

79. Overarching Themes Violates religious beliefs Similar to prior integration efforts Civil Rights Civil Rights Military Image Military Image Core Values Leadership & guidance 31

81. “The military has often been a leader in championing social change to reduce bias and discrimination. It is time to repeal ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ and provide fairness under the Constitution of law for all those dedicated to serving our great nation.”32

82. Overarching Themes Violates religious beliefs Similar to prior integration efforts Civil Rights Civil Rights Military Image Military Image Core Values Leadership & guidance 33

84. “Have they looked at our enemy, the one we’re fighting now? This is one more recruiting tool they have to kill American soldiers. [There are] people who feel that homosexuality is punishable by death.”34

85. Overarching Themes Similar to prior integration efforts Violates religious beliefs Civil Rights Civil Rights Military Image Military Image Core Values Core Values Leadership & guidance 35

87. Overarching Themes Similar to prior integration efforts Violates religious beliefs Civil Rights Civil Rights Military Image Military Image Core Values Core Values Leadership & guidance 37

89. “It is an issue of integrity. If a leader who has served in the Army for a long time comes out and says he is gay, he has been living a lie and I would lose respect because he lacks integrity.”38

90. Overarching Themes Violates religious beliefs Similar to prior integration efforts Civil Rights Civil Rights Military Image Military Image Core Values Core Values Leadership & guidance Leadership & guidance 39

92. “In the military, you are given orders and you drive on. This policy needs to come from the top, with specific guidelines. Soldiers will then adapt, as they always do.”40

93. Overarching Themes Violates religious beliefs Similar to prior integration efforts Civil Rights Civil Rights Military Image Military Image Core Values Core Values Leadership & guidance Leadership & guidance 41

95. “The biggest reason for keeping the current policy is that…any time a person, who is known to be gay or lesbian, gets a poor evaluation or fitness report, not selected for a program or any other similar situation will use their sexual preference to their benefit. EO already has enough to deal with. What’s next? Making selection quotas for Gays and Lesbians?”42

97. Personal effectiveness

98. Family and personal relationshipsRepeal not easy, but ultimately worth it 43

103. How does it all end?

104. Reports Department of Defense Report on the Comprehensive Review of the Issues Associated with a Repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ Support Plan for Implementation Westat Volume 1 - Survey Findings Volume 2 - Findings from the Qualitative Research Tasks RAND RAND Report 2010: Sexual Orientation and the U.S. Military Personnel Policy http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2010/0610_gatesdadt/ 49

105. Questions?