“The study found 70 percent of troops surveyed believed repealing the law would have mixed, positive, or no effect, while 30 percent predicted problems”
As usual, the press is spinning the stats. Here is what a DoD release said:
“U.S. Army Gen. Carter Ham, commander of U.S. Army Europe, said the study found that 50 to 55 percent of people surveyed said there would be no major effect if the repeal passed, while 15 to 20 percent said they’d expect a positive change. Only 30 percent said repeal would have a negative impact.”
http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2010/11/dod-releases-report-on-the-impact-of-repealing-dadt/
Notice how they try to make it sound like 70% are for the change. In reality only 15-20% could be considered “for” the change. Whereas, 30% were against it. The biggest group 50-55% were essentially neutral....they were NOT for it per se. So, you have 15-20% for and 30% against and a big mushy middle. That is NOT 70% for it as reported.
And that's only the people who actually responded, well less than a third of those who were polled, from what I understand. If you had an accurate and inclusive survey, my guess is that it's probably much less than 20% of those currently serving that support the repeal. People are afraid to say other, primarily because they don't want to upset the brass. It's the oldest story in the military.