MANY GAYS IN MILITARY PLAN TO STAY IN CLOSET

      If President-elect Clinton lifts the ban on homosexuals in the military, many gays and lesbians already in uniform say they will heave a collective sigh of relief and get back to work.

      What they won't do is declare their homosexuality."It will not change my day-to-day life at all," said a gay Navy lieutenant who recently came off active duty and is a reservist. "However, I'll be completely relieved because I love the Navy. This would be one less hindrance to me just wanting to be able to serve my country."

      "The people I want to know already know," said a naval petty officer who also is gay. "I don't think anyone's really going to come out of the closet."

      The lieutenant and the petty officer, like everyone else interviewed for this story, insisted on anonymity.

      A lesbian Army reservist whose partner is on active duty said she hopes many homosexuals in uniform do come out - even though she said she and her partner won't.

      "If the ban is lifted and no one comes out, gee, it's all for nothing," she said.

      During his presidential campaign, Clinton said he would issue an executive order ending the 50-year-old policy. He has reiterated that promise since the election, despite warnings from top military men that the action would disastrous for the services.

      Pentagon policy states that "homosexuality is incompatible with military service" and that the presence of homosexuals in the military impedes "discipline, good order and morale."

      No one knows how many homosexuals are serving in uniform. About 14,000 men and women have been discharged during the past 10 years for being homosexual.

      The Associated Press interviewed a cross section of gay and lesbian soldiers, sailors and airmen to learn how they feel about Clinton's promise and the controversy that has been raging since he made it.

      Those who spoke insisted not only on anonymity but that their locations be omitted. Several would talk only on phones away from their base, fearing that their calls could be monitored.

      "For most people, myself included, the issue is not whether or not you can come out, whether or not you want to, but whether or not it should be a point of concern," said a gay Marine aviator. "Just like religion, politics and what your favorite baseball team is, your sexual preference has no place at work."

      An Air Force officer who is a lesbian agreed, adding, "There are other things besides the military that give people reasons not to come out - like family."

      Most said they have been watching the debate with a mixture of optimism, worry and anger. They are hopeful that the pressure to lie will disappear if the ban is lifted.