Fifteen years and more than 12,000 ruined careers later, former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn of Georgia is now having second thoughts about the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that he championed.

The policy prohibits gays and lesbians from serving in the military unless they are celibate and silent. Much has changed since Nunn was the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee in 1993, and it is high time for the senator's views on gays in the military to change as well.

Nunn stated in early June that he thinks "it's appropriate to take another look" at the policy. His comments have fueled speculation that he may be posturing for the Democratic vice presidential nomination or for a cabinet post in an Obama administration.

Sen. Obama has taken a strong stand against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Sen. John McCain favors continuing the ban.

Today, the Military Personnel subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee will hold a congressional hearing on the impact of the policy —- the first such hearing since the policy's been in effect. The subcommittee will hear testimony from retired Army Maj. Gen. Vance Coleman, who is heterosexual; Navy Capt. Joan Darrah, who is retired and openly lesbian and was on duty in the Pentagon during the Sept. 11 attacks; and openly gay former Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, who lost a leg in Iraq.

These witnesses will testify in support of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1246), which would end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." They will further testify to the harm the gay ban has wrought on our nation's military by dangerously institutionalizing discrimination.

In addition to the more than 12,000 gay and lesbian troops discharged since 1993, according to the General Accounting Office, nearly 800 of those dismissed had skills deemed "mission critical" by the Pentagon, including more than 300 specialists in Arabic and other languages.

A Washington Post-ABC News poll released July 19 found that acceptance of gay people in the military has grown dramatically.

This new poll comes on the heels of a July 7 study released by a team of retired senior military officers concluding that the ban on openly gay service members is counterproductive and should end.

This week's congressional hearing on H.R. 1246, the huge shift in public opinion, and the changed attitudes within the military community itself spell the beginning of the end of the "Don't Ask" policy.

So, Nunn, why not just admit that our brave and courageous service members are professional enough to serve alongside their gay comrades in arms?

The Obama campaign's mantra is "change we can believe in." Much has changed since 1993.

Is Nunn capable of believing?

> Jeff Cleghorn is an Atlanta attorney and former Army major.