WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Many gays and lesbians discharged from the U.S. military under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy say they want to return to the armed forces.
With the Sept. 20 appeal of the policy approaching, some estimates suggest hundreds of homosexual former service members have contacted recruiters or advocacy groups in hopes of re-enlisting, The New York Times reports.
Some are attracted by the stable pay and benefits that have proved elusive in their civilian lives. Others say they want to return to complete their service but on their own terms or express an idealistic desire to continue to serve, the Times says.
The Pentagon says former members discharged under the policy will receive no preferential treatment and will have to pass physical fitness tests and demonstrate they have the skills the services need now. Others will need waivers to re-enlist because of their age.
And returning could mean taking a different job or lower rank for some, while others will be rejected because of a lack of available slots in the shrinking armed services, the Times says.
Eileen Lainez, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said former members discharged under the policy who want to return "will be evaluated according to the same criteria and requirements applicable to all others seeking re-entry into the military."
"The services will continue to base accessions of prior-service members on the needs of the service and the skills and qualifications of the applicants," she said.
Ex-service members must have had honorable discharges, as a majority released under the policy since 1993 have, Lainez said.
More than 13,000 service members have been discharged under the policy, the Times said.
