Two items that stand out for me in the article:
1)"......Gates and Mullen want to ensure troops are ready to make the change and can do so without hurting unit cohesion, military readiness, military effectiveness, and recruiting and retention.
“One of the reasons the study and review is so important is because there isn’t any subjective data out there, particularly from you and those who will be most effected,” the admiral told the soldiers."......"
2) ".....Mullen’s remarks on the topic were sparked by a senior non-commissioned officer’s question. The soldier expressed his concern for the possibility of hate crimes and increased cases of sexual harassment if the law changes.
Mullen told the soldier that disciplinary issues regarding sexual harassment have nothing to do with the change in the law and should not be tolerated, period. ....."