MADISON, Wis. -- Three University of Wisconsin-Madison students challenged the U.S. military's controversial "don't ask, don't tell policy" on Wednesday when they attempted to enlist in the Army even though they said that they are openly gay.

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Army recruiters stopped the enlistment process once the students made their sexual orientation clear, WISC-TV reported.

Derek House, a UW-Madison sophomore, said that he comes from a military family and wants to serve, but not if it means keeping his personal life secret. He said his father and brother serve in the military.

"That is a decision I was not willing to make," House said of hiding his sexual orientation. "I was not willing to step back to my 10th grade year of high school and closet myself. I can't do that."

Junior Justin Hager said that he has a friend who was injured in Baghdad, but he wants to serve.

"I've been raised with the beliefs that serving in the military is not just an opportunity, but it's a responsibility and a privilege that all of us citizens should attain," Hager said.

The students said that they're part of a nationwide effort to challenge the 13-year-old "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which was put into effect during the Clinton Administration, WISC-TV reported.

The students said that they plan to take part in a sit-in protest at a later date along with other people who support their right to enlist for military service.