Pentagon claims 70% think gays in military OK, but hid the fact 60% of combat units oppose

The fact most troops stationed on bases won't have a problem with gays serving openly makes sense. Many of these troops live off base in private housing and being in the military is similar to having any other government job. However, hidden in the report is the fact 60% of combat units oppose the change. I don't believe there is more gay phobia in combat units. The situations they often face are different than military personnel with normal day jobs. They may be deployed to the field for months at a time. The question is whose opinion matters more? The paper shufflers or the combat troops?

AP reported:

The Pentagon is playing down the risk of infantry and other combat arms troops causing problems if "don't ask, don't tell" is overturned.

In a first-of-its-kind survey released this week, the Pentagon found that two-thirds of the overall force predicted little impact on the military's ability to fight if gays were allowed to serve openly.

But among those who did care, most were troops performing combat arms duties. Nearly 60 percent of those in the Marine Corps and in Army combat units said they thought repealing the law would hurt their units' ability to fight on the battlefield.