Repeal of 'don't ask' policy urged

(CNN) - A study conducted by a group of senior retired military officers recommends ditching the military's "don't ask-don't tell" policy for gay and lesbian service members.

That policy was made law in 1993 after opposition ballooned to newly elected President Bill Clinton's plan to lift the military's complete ban on gay service members. The new policy stopped the practice of asking potential service members if they are gay but still required the dismissal of openly gay service members.

The study group reported that it could find no evidence that the primary rationale for imposing the policy - that openly gay or lesbian service members pose "an unacceptable risk" to morale and unit cohesion - "remains valid."

The report also noted that the policy has forced out of the military some very talented personnel while at the same time the military has recruited thousands of convicted felons and illegal drug users under its "moral waivers" program.