The Media and Don't Ask, Don't Tell Part 3

While I have been here since 2003. This is my first post. Wouldn't you know it was a vanity?

The following post is my review of the DADT report available on the Defense Department web site. The review is quite lengthy so it is broken up into four parts. Those parts are listed in the first comment section of each post. I wrote the review late at night and after work, so please forgive any errors. It may seem to be all about the DADT report, but what it is really about is how the press portrayed the report, and how the report is now viewed in the eyes of millions of Americans.

Part 3. The Questions and the Numbers.

Here are the survey questions. They are given in order and taken from Appendix D. The raw numbers are used based on the total number of sample stated for the report: 115,052. What is interesting is how the missing questions affect the total percentage given. For those questions that are demographic, only the missing responses are noted as a comparison for some of the more specific questions later in the survey. You can look up the appendix yourself for the complete set of numbers. Which is what the press should have done. But you can guess, now, that is what I am supporting by this critique. What the reported percentages give is the impression that the questions and responses are for the full survey, when in reality they are not. They are the percentages given for the response to that question.

For example, in one question there are 180 missing responses. In another question there are 107,154 missing responses. Yet, percentages appear the same. This isn’t dishonest. In fact, it is the only way to quantify percentages per question. The problem is that unless you looked into the question in the appendices and the missing responses verses actual responses, you are left with the impression that everyone took and answered the question. Some of the questions are not directly about DADT. Some are demographic collection, some are made to steer the person in a direction the administration wants it to go. There are no questions that flat out ask if the troops want DADT repealed, only how hard would it be to eat it when it’s passed. There is nothing in this survey that indicates the repeal of DADT is favored by the military.

The four questions in bold are more red flags that anyone in the press should have seen at first glance as an indicator that DADT is going to really harm the United States Military, and that the people ramming this repeal through couldn’t care less. But there is only one question in bold that Gates and Mullen really needed to know. That was question:
82m. Assume Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed. How important, compared with the repeal, would the following factors be to you in deciding whether to remain in the military? To serve and defend my country

59.2% said to serve and protect was more important, and 20.1% said it was equally important. To the Leftists in charge that means that if approximately 80% of the military can be relied upon to put their nation first, then any social damage can take place without the military collapsing while they are in office. And, after all, isn’t that the only important factor? So while belittling: traditional values, honor, integrity, patriotism, and faith, and declaring them obsolete (If you don’t like it, get out.), it is vile to see those who hate those values use those very values to push their agenda to destroy society. Listed below is the survey. There are only a few red flags noted, but really, they are all red flags. It would just be too tiring to place every one in bold and highlight the fact that every survey question that pertains to DADT has an unfavorable rating among the members of the United States Military.

The Survey

1. Which one of the following statements best describes your current military occupational specialty? Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force, Coast Guard.

2. About how many people serve in your immediate unit?

3. About how long have you worked in your immediate unit?

4. Does your immediate unit include both men and women?

5. Does your immediate unit include individuals of different races or ethnicities?

6. Have you ever been deployed for 30 days or more?

7. Since September 11, 2001, have you been deployed to a combat zone or an area where you received imminent danger pay or hostile fire pay?

8a. Thinking back to the unit with which you most recently deployed, how effective was that unit in completing its mission... In a field environment or out to sea?

8b. Thinking back to the unit with which you most recently deployed, how effective was that unit in completing its mission... When a crisis or negative event happened that affected your unit?

8c. Thinking back to the unit with which you most recently deployed, how effective was that unit in completing its mission... In an intense combat situation?

9. What is your current marital status?

10. Are you currently in a committed relationship?

11. During the last 24 months, where have you lived the most?

12. How many of the NCOs/POs in your immediate unit are good leaders?

13. How many of the officers over your immediate unit are good leaders?

14a. Service members in my immediate unit work together to get the job done

14b. Service members in my immediate unit pull together to perform as a team

14c. Service members in my immediate unit trust each other

14d. Service members in my immediate unit really care about each other

15a. Service members in my immediate unit can get help from their leaders on personal problems

15b. Leaders in my immediate unit trust their unit members

15c. Leaders in my immediate unit have the skills and abilities to lead unit members into combat

15d. Leaders in my immediate unit care about their Service members

16a. [Only asked of people who are not currently deployed] How effective is your immediate unit in completing its mission... On a day-to-day basis?

16b. [Only asked of people who are not currently deployed] How effective is your immediate unit in completing its mission... When a crisis or negative event happens that affects your immediate unit?

17a. [Only asked if member currently deployed] How effective is your immediate unit in completing its mission... In a field environment or out to sea?

17b. [Only asked if member currently deployed] How effective is your immediate unit in completing its mission... When a crisis or negative event happens that affects your immediate unit?

17c. [Only asked if member currently deployed] How effective is your immediate unit in completing its mission... In an intense combat situation?

18a. To perform its immediate mission-essential tasks, does your unit have enough... Trained personnel?

18b. To perform its immediate mission-essential tasks, does your unit have enough... Experienced personnel?

18c. To perform its immediate mission-essential tasks, does your unit have enough... Motivated personnel?

19. To perform its immediate mission-essential tasks, does your unit have enough deployable personnel?

20. For your immediate unit to work together well, how important is it for unit members to socialize together off-duty?

21. How would you rate your immediate unit’s morale?

22. How would you rate your own morale?

23. How well prepared is your immediate unit to perform its mission?

24. How well prepared are you to perform your military job?

25. In the last 2 months, about how often has your immediate unit socialized together, off-duty?

26. [If married] How does your spouse feel about your military service?

27. [If in a committed relationship] How does your significant other feel about your military service?

28. [If married] How does the rest of your family feel about your military service?

29. [If not married] How does your family feel about your military service?

30. Would you ever recommend to a family member or close friend that he or she pursue service in the military?

31. Why did you join the military? Choose 2 that best apply.

32. Which one of the following statements best describes your current military career intentions?

33. What THREE factors do you consider most important to you when deciding whether to remain in the military? Mark up to 3:

34. Do you currently serve with a male or female Service member you believe to be homosexual?

35. In your career, have you ever worked in a unit with a leader you believed to be homosexual?

36. In your career, have you ever worked in a unit with a leader you believed to be homosexual?

37. In your career, have you ever worked in a unit with a subordinate you believed to be homosexual?

38. In the unit where you had a leader you believed to be gay or lesbian, about how many other unit members also believed the leader to be gay or lesbian?

39a. How would you rate that unit’s… Ability to work together?

39b. How would you rate that unit’s… Morale?

39c. How would you rate that unit’s… Performance?

40. Among all the factors that affect how well a unit works together, how much did the unit members’ belief that this leader was gay or lesbian affect the unit’s ability to work together? 42.2%

41. Was the effect on the unit’s ability to work together…

42. Among all the factors that affect a unit’s morale, how much did the unit members’ belief that this leader was gay or lesbian affect the unit’s morale? 49.4%

43. Was the effect on the unit’s morale… Mostly Negative 46.1% Mostly Positive 9.1%

44. Among all the factors that affect a unit’s performance, how much did the unit members’ belief that this leader was gay or lesbian affect the unit’s performance?

45. Was the effect on the unit’s performance…

46. Was the effect on the unit’s performance…

47a. How would you rate that unit’s… Ability to work together?

47b. How would you rate that unit’s… Morale?

47c. How would you rate that unit’s… Performance?

48. Among all the factors that affect how well a unit works together, how much did the unit members’ belief that this coworker was gay or lesbian affect the unit’s ability to work together?

49. Was the effect on the unit’s ability to work together …

50. Among all the factors that affect a unit’s morale, how much did the unit members’ belief that this coworker was gay or lesbian affect the unit’s morale?

51. Was the effect on the unit’s morale…

52. Among all the factors that affect a unit’s performance, how much did the unit members’ belief that this coworker was gay or lesbian affect the unit’s performance?

53. Was the effect on the unit’s performance…
54. In the unit where you had a subordinate you believed to be gay or lesbian, about how many other unit members also believed the subordinate to be gay or lesbian?

55a. How would you rate that unit’s… Ability to work together?

55b. How would you rate that unit’s… Morale?

55c. How would you rate that unit’s… Performance?

56. Among all the factors that affect how well a unit works together, how much did the unit members’ belief that this subordinate was gay or lesbian affect the unit’s ability to work together?

57. Was the effect on the unit’s ability to work together…

58. Among all the factors that affect a unit’s morale, how much did the unit members’ belief that this subordinate was gay or lesbian affect the unit’s morale?

59. Was the effect on the unit’s morale…

60. Among all the factors that affect a unit’s performance, how much did the unit members’ belief that this subordinate was gay or lesbian affect the unit’s performance?

61. Was the effect on the unit’s performance…

62. Did you ever serve in combat with a Service member of any rank whom you believed to be homosexual?

63. About how many other members of that combat unit also believed the Service member to be gay or lesbian?

64. How did that unit perform in combat?

65. Among all the factors that affect a unit’s performance in combat, how much did the belief that the Service member was gay or lesbian affect the unit’s combat performance:

66. Was the effect on the unit’s combat performance…

67a. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed, how easy or difficult do you think it will be for leadership as they start implementing the policy to ... Hold Service members to the high standards of military personal conduct regardless of their sexual orientation?

67b. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed, how easy or difficult do you think it will be for leadership as they start implementing the policy to ... Treat Service members in the same manner regardless of their sexual orientation?

67c. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed, how easy or difficult do you think it will be for leadership as they start implementing the policy to ... Provide the same opportunities to all Service members regardless of their sexual orientation?

67d. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed, how easy or difficult do you think it will be for leadership as they start implementing the policy to ... Make sure all Service members are treated with respect by their coworkers?

67e. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed, how easy or difficult do you think it will be for leadership as they start implementing the policy to ... Enforce good order and discipline?

68a. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would it affect ... How Service members in your immediate unit work together to get the job done?

68b. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would it affect ... How Service members in your immediate unit pull together to perform as a team?

68c. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would it affect ... How Service members in your immediate unit trust each other?

68d. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would it affect ... How much Service members in your immediate unit care about each other?

69a. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would it affect the extent to which... Service members in your immediate unit can get help from their leaders on personal problems?

69b. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would it affect the extent to which... Leaders in your immediate unit trust their unit members?

69c. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would it affect the extent to which... Leaders in your immediate unit have the skills and abilities to lead unit members into combat?

69d. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would it affect the extent to which... Leaders in your immediate unit care about their Service members?

70a. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would it affect your immediate unit’s effectiveness at completing its mission... On a day-to-day basis?

70b. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would it affect your immediate unit’s effectiveness at completing its mission... When a crisis or negative event happens that affects your immediate unit?

71a. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would it affect your immediate unit’s effectiveness at completing its mission... In a field environment or out to sea?

71b. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would it affect your immediate unit’s effectiveness at completing its mission... When a crisis or negative event happens that affects your immediate unit?

71c. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would it affect your immediate unit’s effectiveness at completing its mission... In an intense combat situation?

72. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would it affect how often your immediate unit socializes together off-duty?

73. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would your level of morale be affected?

74. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would your job performance be affected?

75a. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would it affect... Your personal readiness?

75b. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would it affect... Your immediate unit’s readiness?

75c. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would it affect... Your motivation?

75d. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would it affect... Your immediate unit’s motivation?

75e. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would it affect... Your ability to train well?

75f. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would it affect... Your immediate unit’s ability to train well together?

76. [If married] If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed, how, if at all, would the way your spouse feels about your military service be affected?

77. [If in a committed relationship] If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed, how, if at all, would the way your significant other feels about your military service be affected?

78. [If married] If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed, how, if at all, would the way the rest of your family feels about your military service be affected?

79. [If not married] If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed, how, if at all, would the way your family feels about your military service be affected?

80. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed, how, if at all, will it affect your willingness to recommend to a family member or close friend that he or she join the military?

81. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed, how, if at all, will your military career plans be affected?

82a. Assume Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed. How important, compared with the repeal, would the following factors be to you in deciding whether to remain in the military? Pay and allowances / Bonuses

82b. Assume Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed. How important, compared with the repeal, would the following factors be to you in deciding whether to remain in the military? Education benefits

82c. Assume Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed. How important, compared with the repeal, would the following factors be to you in deciding whether to remain in the military? Quality of leadership

82d. Assume Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed. How important, compared with the repeal, would the following factors be to you in deciding whether to remain in the military? Retirement benefits

82e. Assume Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed. How important, compared with the repeal, would the following factors be to you in deciding whether to remain in the military? Years completed toward retirement

82f. Assume Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed. How important, compared with the repeal, would the following factors be to you in deciding whether to remain in the military? Current economic situation and civilian job availability

82g. Assume Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed. How important, compared with the repeal, would the following factors be to you in deciding whether to remain in the military? Family separations and stability

82h. Assume Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed. How important, compared with the repeal, would the following factors be to you in deciding whether to remain in the military? Health benefits

82i. Assume Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed. How important, compared with the repeal, would the following factors be to you in deciding whether to remain in the military? Deployment-related considerations

82j. Assume Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed. How important, compared with the repeal, would the following factors be to you in deciding whether to remain in the military? Live by Service’s core values

82k. Assume Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed. How important, compared with the repeal, would the following factors be to you in deciding whether to remain in the military? Service members’ moral values

82l. Assume Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed. How important, compared with the repeal, would the following factors be to you in deciding whether to remain in the military? Camaraderie

82m. Assume Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed. How important, compared with the repeal, would the following factors be to you in deciding whether to remain in the military? To serve and defend my country

82n. Assume Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed. How important, compared with the repeal, would the following factors be to you in deciding whether to remain in the military? Job satisfaction

82o. Assume Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed. How important, compared with the repeal, would the following factors be to you in deciding whether to remain in the military? Family satisfaction with military

82p. Assume Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed. How important, compared with the repeal, would the following factors be to you in deciding whether to remain in the military? Other

83. In your opinion, which of the following are the top THREE factors that enable you to fulfill your mission during combat?

84a. How would the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell affect the importance of these factors? Having NCOs/POs who lead by example

84b. How would the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell affect the importance of these factors? Having officers who lead by example

84c. How would the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell affect the importance of these factors? Unit training/Individual training

84d. How would the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell affect the importance of these factors? Length of time serving together

84e. How would the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell affect the importance of these factors? Individual unit members’ technical capabilities

84f. How would the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell affect the importance of these factors? Unit morale

84g. How would the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell affect the importance of these factors? Clear task objectives

84h. How would the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell affect the importance of these factors? Trust among unit members

84i. How would the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell affect the importance of these factors? Unit members who get along well socially

84j. How would the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell affect the importance of these factors? Similar moral values among unit members

84k. How would the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell affect the importance of these factors?

84l. How would the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell affect the importance of these factors? Diversity among unit members

84m. How would the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell affect the importance of these factors? Having unit members who work together as a team

85. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how would that affect your own ability to fulfill your mission during combat?

86. Have you shared a room, berth or field tent with a Service member you believed to be homosexual?

87. Have you been assigned to share bath facilities with an open bay shower that is also used by a Service member you believed to be homosexual?

88. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are assigned to share a room, berth or field tent with someone you believe to be a gay or lesbian Service member, which are you most likely to do?

89. If a wartime situation made it necessary for you to share a room, berth or field tent with someone you believe to be a gay or lesbian Service member, which are you most likely to do?

90. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are assigned to bathroom facilities with an open bay shower that someone you believe to be a gay or lesbian Service member also used, which are you most likely to do?

91. If a wartime situation made it necessary for you to share bathroom facilities with an open bay shower with someone you believe to be a gay or lesbian Service member, which are you most likely to do?

92. Do you usually attend military social functions?

93. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and a gay or lesbian Service member attended a military social function with a same-sex partner, which are you most likely to do?

94. Do you usually attend military family programs?

95. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and a gay or lesbian Service member participated in military family programs with a same-sex partner, which are you most likely to do?

96. If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you had on-base housing and a gay or lesbian Service member was living with a same-sex partner on-base, what would you most likely do?

97. What is your present pay grade?

98. What is your current age?

99. Are you male or female?

100. Are you Spanish/ Hispanic/ Latino?

101. What is your race? Mark one or more races to indicate what you consider yourself to be.

102. Do you have any family members, friends or acquaintances who are gay or lesbian, or whom you believe to be gay or lesbian?

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