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In this Jan. 21, 2010 file photo, Gen. David Petraeus, Commander, U.S. Central Command, is seen at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)

Petraeus: Time to rethink gay policy

Updated: Tuesday, 25 May 2010, 7:49 AM CDT
Published : Tuesday, 16 Mar 2010, 11:04 AM CDT

By ANNE FLAHERTY, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - The four-star Army general who is managing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan says "the time has come" for the military to rethink its policy toward gays.

Gen. David Petraeus stopped short of saying whether he personally believed if the military's policy of "don't ask, don't tell" is outdated or unfair.

Instead, Petraeus told a Senate panel Tuesday that he wants to see the results of an internal study ordered by Defense Secretary Robert Gates before any changes are made. He said he wants to know if allowing gays to serve openly might hurt recruiting and retention, or the military's ability to fight.