Petraeus: Time to Reconsider 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Gen. David Petraeus said Tuesday the time is right to reconsider the ban on openly gay men and women serving in the military, but he cautioned a Senate committee that any change should be made in a "thoughtful manner."

Petraeus, who, as head of the U.S. Central Command, oversees the U.S. war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, said the military should assess how ending the 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy would affect recruiting, morale, unit cohesion and retention, The Hill newspaper reported. The policy, started under President Clinton, permits gays to serve in the Armed Forces as long as they keep their sexual preferences private. For its part, the military is not supposed to ask about an individual's sexual orientation.

The Obama administration wants to do away with the rule and allow gay men and lesbians to serve openly. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has begun a one-year review of how the change would be carried out.

"This is not a sound-bite issue," Petraeus said. His testimony came at a Senate Armed Services Committee budget hearing.