Disturbing reports have emerged concerning a significant spike in dismissals of gay military personnel at installations around the country. Appalling on its face, the "don't ask, don't tell" policy behind the dismissals is senseless in these challenging times.

Since 1994, the policy has barred the military from asking about the sex lives of service members but compels the discharge of anyone who openly admits being gay.

Data obtained by an advocacy group, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, confirms the Pentagon's general report that 726 military members were discharged under the policy last year — up 11 percent from the year before.

In addition, the network secured detailed information about actions taken at individual bases. Fort Leonard Wood, an Army base in Missouri, dismissed 60 gay people last year. Fort Campbell in Kentucky showed the biggest increase in discharges — from 19 in 2004 to 49 last year. This is a particularly distressing lapse because the base, where a soldier believed to be gay was murdered in 1999, had seemingly overcome its sad history.

Controversy over the policy flared last month when the Pentagon fired an Arabic linguist, Bleu Copas, for his sexual orientation, a decision the legal advocacy group rightly called "utterly irresponsible." It's counterintuitive to dismiss someone with a skill so crucial in the current geopolitical reality for something that's immaterial to his service.

What's most important is to maintain security, a goal that seems better served by keeping the focus on a service member's work, not his or her private life.

Currently there's a move in Congress to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Legislation titled the Military Readiness Enhancement Act has been introduced in the House and deserves a serious look. The Senate should introduce a twin measure, as well.

Our armed forces must maintain a high standard of behavior among the troops. Inappropriate sexual behavior by a member of the service can't be tolerated, but his or her sexual orientation by itself is insufficient grounds for dismissal, plain and simple.