[xlm1717]

It seems the military in general does not believe the initial painful period would be worth the ultimate goal of total integration. The article quotes a government study from 1992:

A military unit at maximum combat effectiveness is a military unit least likely to suffer casualties. Winning in war is often only a matter of inches, and unnecessary distraction or any dilution of the combat effectiveness puts the mission and lives in jeopardy. Risking the lives of a military unit in combat to provide career opportunities or accommodate the personal desires or interests of an individual, or group of individuals, is more than bad military judgment. It is morally wrong.

This was 1992, when there didn't exist the taboo we have today of not speaking against gender integration and government and military leaders could speak their minds.

[masklinn]

The military in general did not believe in open LGBT or racially integrated service either. I wouldn't put any stock in any opinion proffered by the military itself, their job is to toe their line and present a cohesive front supporting whatever is the current policy, and there's few the military in general likes less than changes in policy.