Amid Troop Shortage, Gays Want Back In

LAKE JACKSON, Texas, March 13, 2005 — -- While Tommy Cook waits tables at a restaurant south of Houston, the 22-year-old daydreams of being back in the military.

"I loved it," he said. "It was the best two years, nine months and 11 days of my life."

A decorated Army intelligence specialist, Cook's unit was preparing to go to Iraq when he says a sergeant threatened to kill any gays among them.

Terrified, Cook reported the incident to his commander and was discharged for revealing he is gay, a violation of "don't ask, don't tell," the government policy that allows homosexuals to serve in the military as long as they don't reveal their sexual preference.

"It was my life or my career," he said, "and I chose that my life was more important than a career, at that point in time."

Now Cook and 11 other gay veterans are suing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to get back in the fight. They say the 1993 law prohibiting gays from serving openly not only is discriminatory, but it hurts the war on terror.

With the U.S. armed forces stretched thin and having a difficult time meeting recruiting goals, opponents of "don't ask, don't tell" believe the military can no longer afford to kick out gays and lesbians.

The U.S. Army recently announced it failed to meet last month's goal for new recruits by more than 27 percent, marking the first time in nearly five years the Army missed a monthly target.

Rep. Marty Meehan, D-Mass., has introduced legislation to repeal "don't ask, don't tell."

"I think it is clear from the General Accounting Office study that it has had a negative impact on national security and also the readiness of our troops, Meehan said.

An estimated 24 countries allow openly gay and lesbian troops to serve in their militaries.