Recruiters were no longer allowed to ask prospective recruits about sexual orientation.

An essential component of that policy is to stop asking recruits and other members of the armed services about their sexual orientation.

It would mean that the military would not ask new recruits about their sexual orientation or conduct investigations meant to ferret out homosexuals.

Many also expressed resentment that the Navy was being forced to abandon its practice of asking recruits about sexual orientation.

Don't ask potential recruits about their sexual orientation.

But Mr. Clinton's new policy will bar military officials from asking recruits if they are homosexual, White House officials said.

But it lets stand the President's decision to stop asking prospective recruits whether they are homosexuals.

"Years and years ago I used to ask young recruits, 'What do you want on your tombstone?' "

But the military will stop asking recruits if they are homosexual and suspend discharges of homosexuals based on their status.

Questions of Conduct The rules are slightly more permissive than the old ones, which asked recruits whether they were homosexual and rejected those who said yes.