Gay activist Dan Choi stands outside the Times Square Armed Forces Recruiting Center after he reenlisted in the U.S. Army October 20, 2010 in New York City. Gays In The Military Study: Most U.S. Troops, Families Say Gays OK AP/The Huffington Post First Posted: 10-28-10 11:30 PM | Updated: 10-29-10 06:15 AM
WASHINGTON — An internal Pentagon study has found that most U.S. troops and their families don't care whether gays are allowed to serve openly and think the policy of "don't ask, don't tell" could be done away with, according to officials familiar with its findings.
The survey results were expected to be used by gay rights advocates to bolster their argument that the 1993 law on gays could be repealed immediately with little harm done to the military. But the survey also was expected to reveal challenges the services could face in overturning the long-held policy, including overcoming fierce opposition in some parts of the military even if they represent a minority.
Details on the survey results were still scarce Thursday, with the Pentagon declining to discuss the findings until after Dec. 1 when it rolls out its own plan for repeal.
The officials who disclosed the survey's findings spoke on condition of anonymity because the results had not been released.
NBC News' Richard Engel first reported the findings Thursday, and appeared that evening on "The Rachel Maddow Show."