"I just think we need to be mindful of the fact that we're in two wars and that any kind of change like this be done in a way where it has absolutely minimal impact on those who make such a difference for our country. So right now, we are complying with the current law; we'll do that. And if the law changes, we'll certainly comply with that."
(November 04, 2009, National Press Club Government Executives Breakfast)
"The chiefs and I are in complete support of the approach that Secretary Gates has outlined. We believe that any implementation plan for a policy permitting gays and lesbians to serve openly in the armed forces must be carefully derived, sufficiently through – sufficiently thorough, and thoughtfully executed.
Over these last few months, we have reviewed the fundamental premises behind don’t ask, don’t tell, as well as its application in practice over the last 16 years. We understand perfectly the president’s desire to see the law repealed, and we owe him our best military advice about the impact of such a repeal and the manner in which we would implement a change in policy.
"
(February 02, 2010, Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing , Washington, D.C.)
"Mr. Chairman, speaking for myself and myself only, it is my personal belief that allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would be the right thing to do. No matter how I look at this issue, I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens. For me personally, it comes down to integrity – theirs as individuals and ours as an institution. I also believe that the great young men and women of our military can and would accommodate such a change. I never underestimate their ability to adapt. "
(February 02, 2010, Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing, Washington D.C.)
"What our young men and women and their families want – what they deserve – is that we listen to them and act in their best interests. What the citizens we defend want to know – what they deserve to know – is that their uniformed leadership will act in a way that absolutely does not place in peril the readiness and effectiveness of their military. "
(February 02, 2010, Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing, Washington, D.C.)
"Over these last two months, the Chiefs and I have reviewed the fundamental premises behind Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, as well as its application in practice over the last 16 years. We understand perfectly the President’s desire to see the law repealed and we owe him our best military advice about the impact this change in policy would have on the military.
"
(February 03, 2010, Chairman's Corner Blog: My View on Don't Ask Don't Tell)