On July 30, 2009, the Washington Times broke a news story that effectively torpedoed the high-powered campaign for gays in the military.  In an article titled “Is Obama Administration Listening to the Troops?” Base News editor Grace Vuoto reported the results of a previously-unpublished survey done by the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).  It also referenced a link to the MOAA survey, which illustrated poll results with dramatic bar graphs.  

By a two-to-one margin, MOAA survey respondents favored current policy or an even stronger law regarding homosexuals in the military.  The MOAA survey also found that 68% of respondents believe that repeal of the law would have a very negative effect (48%) or moderately negative effect (20%) on troop morale and military readiness.  

A determined national campaign is promoting repeal of the 1993 law, which is frequently mislabeled “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”  Gay activists keep insisting that cultural and generational changes make success for their cause inevitable.   The MOAA survey, which included significant participation by younger active duty or drilling reserve and guard members, demolished that argument.

The survey done by MOAA, a 370,000 multi-service veterans organization, found that that 16% of respondents currently on active duty, drilling reserve, or active guard duty favored the Defense Department’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy as a “reasonable compromise.”  Over three times as many (52%) favored an even stronger “outright ban on military service by homosexuals,” while less than one-third (31%) favored repeal. 

The combined 68% opinion expressed on both of these key questions─coming from MOAA members who would be directly affected by repeal of the law─convey a clear message to President Barack Obama and to members of Congress.  Repeal of the 1993 law, which cannot be justified on national security grounds, would have serious negative effects on recruiting, retention, and overall readiness in the All-Volunteer force. 

The survey results were even more remarkable in view of the fact that a combined 35% of MOAA respondents thought that today’s servicemembers are “much more” or “moderately more” tolerant toward homosexuals in the military, while 45% percent said that attitudes were “no different” from those who served in the 1980s and earlier.  

Thirty-four percent of the MOAA Survey’s 1,654 respondents were under 30 years old, and another 30% were 30-45, an age category that includes experienced leaders.  These results undermine the claim that since younger members of the military are more comfortable with homosexuals in general, they are ready to support repeal of the law.  Civilian culture has changed, but the unique culture of the military has not changed.

The MOAA Survey findings reinforce those of the annual Military Times Poll of active-duty subscriber/respondents.  For four years in a row, 58% of Military Times active-duty subscriber/respondents expressed support for current law.  In response to a new question asked in 2008, 10% said that if the law is repealed they would not re-enlist, and an additional 14% said they would consider leaving the military.  In March more than 1,000 retired Flag & General Officers for the Military released an open letter supporting the 1993 law.

The Base News article included a statement from a MOAA spokesman, but did not explain why the organization did not release the results on its own.  At least one member mentioned in the article opposed the group’s silence on a major issue soon to be debated in Congress.

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