We do not yet know where Mr. Gates stands on LGBT issues, or “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in particular. We do know, however, that during a debate at Texas A&M University about affirmative action, then-University President Gates said that “Students at Texas A&M should be admitted as individuals, on personal merit -- and on no other basis." While that stance may or may not have been appropriate for Texas A&M at the time, a similar stance on recruiting troops for the U.S. armed forces may serve Mr. Gates well. With current troops stretched thin, and good future troops hard to find, a Pentagon policy of putting person merits first could go a long way in building a stronger military.

SLDN hopes Mr. Gates will bring new ideas to the Pentagon, including strong support for qualification ahead of discrimination and policies that respect and honor every service member, regardless of their sexual orientation.