WASHINGTON — Three former military chaplains announced support for a repeal of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy regarding gays in the military.

The retired chaplains — from the Army, Navy and Air Force — say they spoke with several fellow chaplains and veterans, including several returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, before crafting their statement.

Their statement, released by the New York-based VoteVets, lays out their argument for the repeal.

It would help recruiting and retention, the chaplains wrote. And, they said, there are already “tens of thousands of known gay service members currently working and fighting alongside their straight peers; and there is no demonstrable negative impact on unit morale, cohesion or combat readiness.”