Some troops unhappy about Obama pledge on gays

Many U.S. soldiers hail from Republican-voting "Red States," where opposition to abortion and homosexuality runs deep and many are concerned that a Democratic administration means higher taxes, gay marriage and laws restricting gun ownership.

Even soldiers from "Blue," Democrat-leaning U.S. states often hold Christian values they say clash with Obama's proposal.

Specialist Justin Scharan, from Washington State, battled to contain a smirk on his reddening face when asked his view.

"I'm Christian, so I really don't believe it's a good thing. But if it happens, there's not much we can do," he said.

Obama opposed California's ban on gay marriage in November. He has said he supports equal legal rights for same-sex couples, a topic of vociferous debate between liberals and conservatives.

He is expected to reverse many of former President George W. Bush's policies, including by closing the U.S. military's Guantanamo Bay detention center, banning interrogation techniques seen as torture, and scrapping funding restrictions on stem cell research.

But he may be mindful of former President Bill Clinton's early days, when he failed to push through a change of policy on gays serving in the military and drew fire from Christian groups.

Some soldiers questioned on inauguration day in Iraq thought it would be the wrong time to bring up such a sensitive issue with the United States facing multiple crises, from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to a U.S. recession and global economic turmoil.

"I don't agree with it," said Staff Sargeant Tavar Cradle. "I think there's other, bigger issues that could be dealt with."