Witnesses testified about the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy prohibiting openly gay and lesbian service members. They focused on proposals to end the policy, previous decisions to integrate blacks and allow expanded service by women, the relationship between personal conduct and unit cohesion, and ways foreign militaries had successfully incorporated gay and lesbian service members. Captain Darrah and Staff Sergeant Alva also spoke about their experiences and the burdens placed on service members forced to keep their sexual orientation secret while serving in the military.