President signs Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Repeal into law

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Posted by: CDR Glynn Smith

Posted by CDR Glynn Smith on behalf of Coast Guard Vice Commandant, Vice Adm. Sally Brice-O’Hara.

Vice Admiral Sally Brice-O'Hara, Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Vice Admiral Sally Brice-O'Hara, Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

President Obama signed into law today legislation that will eventually repeal the current policy governing the service of gay and lesbian members – commonly referred to as “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” The current policy remains in place until 60 days after President Obama, Secretary Gates and Adm. Mullen certify that the military is ready to implement the change.

During the certification period, the Coast Guard will continue to comply with the policy of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” as obligated by law.

When implemented, this repeal will allow gay and lesbian Americans to serve openly in the military. As the Commandant and I have stated in the past, we believe this action to be in full alignment with our Service’s core values and the Commandant’s guiding principle of respecting our shipmates. The repeal is the right thing to do; our shipmates will no longer be forced to hide or even lie about their sexual orientation.

As the Commandant and I have said in the past, we do not harbor the slightest doubt that the men and women of the Coast Guard are up to the task of implementing the change associated with this repeal.

Semper Paratus,
Vice Adm. Sally Brice-O’Hara
Vice Commandant

For more background on this important issue, please go to Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp’s written testimony for the Senate Armed Forces Committee available here and video of the hearing available here, as well as the “Report of the Comprehensive Review of the Issues Associated with a Repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’” available here.

  • bosun

    when do we pass the dont ask; dont flaunt policy?

  • bosun

    How much will this cost??

    Honor
    Aids
    Benefits
    War
    Anyone Know??

  • CDR Glynn Smith

    There are many good questions here about the implementation of a repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” I am unable to provide a response to them until the associated policies and directives have been reviewed and revised. The Department of Defense is leading the effort to work through the details, with full Coast Guard participation in the process. I will make sure our Coast Guard staff who are working with DoD have visibility of your input.

    v/r

    CDR Glynn Smith
    Commandant’s Communications Director

  • saltyeph

    bosun,

    The repeal won’t result in all homosexual servicemembers suddenly flaunting their homosexuality. They will merely now not fear being fired over a part of their identity. Heterosexual servicemembers have always been free to discuss their sexuality openly, now we are extending this privilege to everyone.

    Also, if there are associated costs with the implementation of the repeal, then so be it. The impact of treating everyone in the armed services equally will result in a net gain for the military in all facets.

  • bosun

    saltyeph

    impact of treating everyone in the armed services equally will result in a net gain for the military in all facets.

    should we also treat officers and enlisted according to your statement above?

    why stop there, lets start electing our officer corp by popular vote..lets make it a true democracy

  • Adirondack Patriot

    “. . . Our shipmates will no longer be forced to hide or even lie about their sexual orientation.”

    If members weren’t required to tell and everyone else was required not to ask, how can the VADM claim were they forced to lie about their sexual orientation under DADT?

  • drpatt

    I’m sorry to see the CG embrace yet another PC cause. Accepting homosexuality is, “…in full alignment with our Service’s core values…?” That is an amazing statement. I hope it works out, but I’m expecting another wave of “harassment” complains against innocent people like the false sexual harassment complaints (from those who just had to be “in your face”) that were so prevalent in the 1980s. Please don’t tell me it didn’t happen – I was there in CGHQ for 9 years. Then there’s the “training” to get all of us to accept homosexuality as “normal” which will come soon. No thank you. If the CGAux requires that, we shall part ways.

    Take a look at military services around the world that welcome open homosexuality. It doesn’t work.

  • saltyeph

    bosun, the officer/enlisted corps is a structural reality of the military. Sexual orientation is an inherent characteristic over which people have no control.

    Adirondack Patriot, yes, under DADT as long as one didn’t share one’s homosexuality, there was no threat of discharge. The truth is it’s not so easy to do, especially in light of the third party outings that took place regularly. One turns to lying to dispel the suspicion of others (silence often exacerbates suspicion, if that makes sense).

  • Lou Nanni

    salteph,
    actually, there is zero scientific evidence that states “sexual orientation is an inherent characteristic…there is more scientific evidence indicating that obesity is genetic; yet, we continue to RIF sailors for being 5lbs over weight. perhaps we should also abolish weight standards in the service?

  • saltyeph

    There is scientific evidence for anything. I’m simply speaking from experience, and never having met anyone that’s said “yeah, I chose to be gay”. In the face of DADT, if sexuality were a choice, you’d think that all gay servicemembers would simply decide to be straight.
    Sexuality, like race or gender, is irrelevant to completing a mission. Weight standards are different, in my opinion.

  • Eagle

    Being in the military is a profession. It is not professional to converse about sexual matters of any kind, hetro or homo. Enough said. If a gay or straight service member works for me I will expect professional behaviors from them at all times while at work. What they do at home is theirs to know, not mine. However the military has always been a lifestyle in addition to a profession with lots of socialization encouraged. A person should not be alienated do to their home or relationship type and or status. The ignorance and intolerance of some of these posts shows why projects fail and people die. We are all part of a team, if you no longer wish to be connected to the team member next to you please quietly and politely make room for someone who does. A team that works together and not against one another is a team that wins.

  • Phil

    Eagle;
    The view expressed in your post seems a little too simplistic. For example, ‘home’ to over 100 people that work for me is one of the ~35 barracks rooms we assign them too, three people to an open single room, with one head. I agree that we will need to execute the policy as instructed to do so, but as leaders we need to realize that it will be difficult in many situations. There is indeed a difference in between the interaction between two co-workers who share an office 6 hours a day, five (or less) days a week and two (or more) people who live together (under orders) in small cramped spaces. A simple understanding of Maslow’s ‘Hierachy of Needs’ will explain this. The decision to move forward has been made. How we move forward, respecting everyone as a whole will shed much light on our character.

  • mk1

    if this policy repeal is so important; how did our grandparents fight (and win) WWII with such a discriminatory policy?

    am i the only one that notices that more time will be invested in the new general military reqts training; then our common, warrior history?
    my unit didnt even aknowledge this past pearl harbor day..why not?

  • RetLCDRMustang

    MK1, there was no such discriminatory policy during WWII.

    DrPatt, this is not a “PC Cause” as you put it. This is a civil rights issue plain and simple. The only work-place in America where it is illegal to be gay is in the Armed Services. In fact, if any employer fired an individual on the basis of sexual orientation, they would be rightfully sued. It’s about time the military (which fights for freedom and equality), does not fire its gay members due to their sexual orientation.

    Discrimination is discrimination and this is the most blatant form of it staring at us in the face…