Who Are You Calling a "Civilian Activist"?

Despite the fact that she is something of a joke and prone to making ridiculous claims, Elaine Donnelly of the Center for Military Readiness has somehow become the leading opponent of repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell and so it is no surprise that she would show up in articles about the President's pledge to repeal the law:

"Civilian activists do not understand or respect the culture of the military," said Elaine Donnelly, president of the Center for Military Readiness, a think tank that opposes allowing gays in the military. "I'm sure the troops will be disheartened by this."

What is it exactly that Donnelly means by "civilian activists"?  Considering that, as her own bio makes clear, Donnelly has never actively served in the military, doesn't that make he also "civilian activist"? 

Donnelly likes to portray herself as someone whose deep concerns about the integrity and cohesion of our military require her to oppose allowing gays to serve openly when, in reality, she is little more than a professional right-wing activist who uses military issues to push her anti-gay agenda.