SANTA BARBARA, Calif., June 21 (UPI) -- Despite indications that the United States needs more troops, the military discharged 770 service members under it's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in 2003.
The Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military of Santa Barbara, Calif., revealed new details Monday about the 9,682 military personnel who have been discharged since the policy became effective in 1993.
Data obtained by the center under a Freedom of Information Act request indicate that from 1998 to 2003 the military discharged 49 nuclear, biological and chemical-warfare specialists, 90 nuclear-power engineers, 52 missile-guidance and control operators, 150 rocket, missile and other artillery specialists and 340 infantrymen. The Pentagon told the CSSMM data before 1998 was unavailable.
The military discharged 73 service members from the Defense Language Institute and 15 specialists in language interrogation, a greater loss of language expertise than previously believed.
"The new data suggest that Don't Ask, Don't Tell has undermined every area of the military. We have lost valuable talent from almost every base and every occupational specialty, including mission-critical linguists and infantry men," said CSSMM Director Aaron Belkin.
