EL PASO, Texas -- The Pentagon lays the groundwork to repeal the military's controversial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

It will take an act of Congress to get rid of the policy that bans openly gay members in the military.

KFOX wanted to talk to service members about the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy, but quickly found out it's something they don't want to talk about.

On Tuesday, the Pentagon unveiled its initial plans for carrying out a repeal. It's considered historic since it's the first congressional hearing on the issue in 17 years.

In El Paso, it's an issue people with relatives in the military want to see debated.

"It don't matter to me, as long as they do their job and what they're supposed to do. I think that's what they should do. It don't matter if they're gay or not," said Cedric Howard from Northeast El Paso.

But some active military said they can't make comments about it.

"We're not allowed to have an opinion about the policies that we have. We're only here to enforce them," said a Fort Bliss soldier who didn't want to give his name.

According to a Virginia lawmaker, more than 13,500 service members have been discharged since the policy was implemented in 1998.