Pentagon Begins Implementing “Don’t Ask/ Don’t Tell” Repeal

[SidDithers]

http://www.sfbaytimes.com/?sec=article&article_id=14535

The US military embarked upon a massive new training program as of Feb. 1 as it adjusts to the repeal of “Don’t Ask/ Don’t Tell,” the ban on queers serving openly in the military. It will be months before the changes make their way through the entire military, but the process has begun.

The first step is implementing change in policies; then training changes; and eventually training the actual force. This will occur in three phases, officials have said. Military chaplains, lawyers and civilian personnel will go first; followed by commanding officers; then the rank and file. The services will focus on training troops before they deploy, but some training may take place at the battlefront. While service members will no longer be discharged for their sexual orientation when the repeal is fully implemented, other facts will not change. There will still be no medical, travel, or housing benefits for same-sex partners of out military personnel because the federal Defense of Marriage Act prohibits the military from recognizing the marriages of same-sex couples.
It is still uncertain how long implementation will take. “When you’re dealing with two and a half million people in a new policy, we’re probably going to have some discoveries as we go,” said General James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Cartwright said he expects the services will know within the first month of training how well they are doing and how quickly they will be able to proceed. He said it will be up to individual unit commanders to make sure their troops are professional and respectful.

In a five-page memorandum dated Jan. 28, Defense Secretary Robert Gates gave the order to Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Clifford Stanley to devise a strategy to “facilitate the timely and orderly realization” of DA/DT repeal by Feb. 4

It's only a matter of time (hopefully short) before DADT is just a bad memory.

Sid

[Ohio Joe]

1. K&R - nt