The commandant of the Marine Corps has rejected President Barack Obama's plan to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the law banning gays from serving openly in the military.

Gen. James Conway told a Senate committee this earlier this week his best military advice would be to keep the law in place.

He said any move to lift the ban should answer one question. "Do we enhance war fighting capabilities by allowing homosexuals to openly serve?," the general asked lawmakers.

U.S. Army and Air Force chiefs have also expressed doubts about lifting the ban. But Gen. Conway is the first senior officer to outright disagree with the president.

*Originally published February 27, 2010.