Retired Officers: Keep Don't Ask Don't Tell

A statement issued by the retired officers Tuesday said passage of that bill "would undermine recruiting and retention, impact leadership at all levels, have adverse effects on the willingness of parents who lend their sons and daughters to military service, and eventually break the all-volunteer force."

Among the signatories were Gen. Carl E. Mundy Jr., a former commandant of the Marine Corps; Adm. Leighton W. Smith, a former commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe; Gen. Charles A. Horner, who commanded aerial forces during the 1990-91 Gulf War; and Adm. Jerome L. Johnson, a former vice chief of Naval Operations.

The retired officers said they strongly backed the concept that "homosexuality is incompatible with military service" and warned that repeal of the law could jeopardize morale and "unit cohesion."