GAO Report: Policy On Gays Cost Pentagon Nearly $200 Million

A new report from the Government Accountability Office finds that the United States military spent about $193 million between 2004 and 2009 in connection with the Pentagon's "homosexual conduct policy."

The GAO analysis identified 3,664 service members as having been "separated" from the military due to its policy against openly homosexual members serving in the armed forces. Most of the cost associated with the lost personnel came in the form of recruiting and training replacements.

It cost the Department of Defense a little over $185 million to recruit and train replacements, according to the GAO. A further $7.7 million was spent on the administrative side of removing the 3,664 service members from duty.

In December a new law allowing gays to serve in the military was passed by Congress and signed by the president. But it is not expected to take effect for several months.


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wow wtf.. I wasn't aware that the government even lost any money just for a "homosexual conduct policy". I don't see why gays couldn't be in the military. I know many people tried to pretend they were gay just so they can not get drafted lol

Wow, interesting post Fred. A lot of money goes into the military, and in this case, congress has lawfully allowed gays to serve in the military. $200 million certainly does put a dent in our government funds, but not nearly as much as the government has done to itself. It's a big price to pay for these rights but it's well worth it. A lot of people will be quick to hate, judge and blame gays or whoever they want to blame, for America's debt. It's not gay people- if anyone is to blame it's our government.

Because America has been used to the Don't ask Don't Tell policy 'tradition', even though they've passed the law, it will be some time before they actually accept it-that is, if it's ever going to be truly accepted. The same applies to any laws being passed for gay rights. It's sad really, how that is, but the fact that laws are being made for these equal rights shows that people are being heard and something is being done about it. I wish I could live to see the day that every person in this country could be treated equal.

This is a touchy subject for many and it goes along with every issue that involves gay rights. I support the gay community as I have many gay friends-they are just like anybody else and deserve to be treated just like anybody else. Who's to say what they can or can't do. We live in a world that discriminates and is prejudiced against religion, sexual orientation, gender, sex, race..etc. In this country, everyone should be entitled to the same rights. So to ever live amongst each other equally, the reality is- it's a long shot, but I'll be a supporter till the day I die.

well siad meeshy. Everyone has the right to be treat like a human beegin. Shouldnt be judge poeple on there sexaul orational (so spell wrong) it just wrong. We gay are people too remember that

lol yes Vicks. The world is a giant box of crayons. All different, but we all belong to the same box There's a price to pay for everything, including equality. The outcome for everyone to be treated as equals: Priceless.

Lol, during the speech president Obama had in the state of the union 2011 presentation, he said "No longer will gay American people be restricted from joining our military" and people gave him a standing ovation but the only ones left sitting with a cringed look on their face, were the generals of the US armed forces themselves Lol smh.. It's clear we know where they stand.