Pentagon: DADT Repeal on Schedule

New York Daily News reports:

A GOP hearing aimed at stalling efforts to let gays serve openly in the military backfired Thursday when Pentagon chiefs testified the troops don't think there's anything wrong with that.

"We've not seen issues," said Gen. James Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps. "There's not been anxiety over it from the forces in the field."

The Pentagon has said repeal of the 17-year ban on gays in the military could be implemented by midsummer once all soldiers receive training.

Amos had been one of the strongest opponents of repealing the Don't Ask Don't Tell ban. Last year, he said his men would be distracted - possibly fatally - by allowing gays to serve.

But testifying alongside the chiefs of the Navy, Army and Air Forces Thursday, Amos told the House Armed Services Committee that training of the rank and file was going smoothly.

"There hasn't been the recalcitrant pushback," Amos said.

"Young Marines," he said, "quite honestly, they're focused on the enemy."

Army Gen. Norton Schwartz said he was "more comfortable than I was" last year about the new policy.

Navy Admiral Gary Roughead said the change would not be that dramatic.

"Repeal will not change who we are or what we do," he said. "The same regulations and standards of conduct will apply."