Although the Pentagon announced today the beginning of training warriors, and readiness for homosexual relations, new legislation introduced last week would require extensive certification to Congress prior to any implementation.
-- From "Pentagon to Begin Phase Out of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'" by Luis Martinez, ABC News 1/28/11
Senior Pentagon officials said today they are confident the process could be finished sometime this year.
Each of the military services will create its own training schedules based on guidelines issued by the Defense Department under a plan announced today by Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Cliff Stanley, undersecretary of personnel and readiness.
Both officials said it remains unclear how long it will take to train the entire military . . .
The "don't ask, don't tell" policy remains in effect until President Obama, Defense Secretary Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen certify that the military's implementation of the repeal has been completed and has not affected readiness. The law itself would not be repealed until 60 days after the certification.
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From "Pentagon: Training on 'don't ask, don't tell' starts in Feb. for troops, commanders" by Ed O'Keefe, Washington Post 1/28/11
Training is likely to be led by instructors, and may include written materials, videos, vignettes describing different elements of military life and PowerPoint slides outlining the changes. Each individual will need to certify that he or she completed the training, Cartwright said.
. . . the Defense of Marriage Act [DOMA] prohibits extending most medical, housing and travel benefits to same-sex partners. The Pentagon will continue to explore whether gay troops could designate same-sex partners as beneficiaries . . .
Officials did not know the expected costs of the training programs, but Gates promised to provide "adequate funding."
Critics warned Friday that the Pentagon is rushing too quickly to end the ban. Elaine Donnelly, founder of the Center for Military Readiness and a vocal opponent of changing the policy, said "scores of complicated issues and problems involving human sexuality" remain unresolved. "All of these problems will be loaded on the backs of trainers and field commanders, who will be expected to divert valuable time to deal with all of the negative consequences in the midst of ongoing wars," she said.
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From "Pentagon's training for ‘Don’t ask’ repeal to start next month, but timeline unclear" by John T. Bennett, The Hill 1/28/11
Some in Congress fought the Obama administration's repeal effort and are seeking to hold up implementation. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), for example, has introduced legislation [HR 337] designed to slow repeal.
The measure would add the four military service chiefs to the list of those who must sign off on scrapping the ban.
Hunter is concerned that repealing the DADT policy unjustly “excluded the service chiefs from the certification process,” said one congressional aide.
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From "Hunter Bill Would Stop Implentation of Don’T Ask, Don’T Tell Repeal" posted at East County Magazine 1/28/11
“The idea behind the Restore Military Readiness Act [HR 337] is not necessarily to prevent the implementation of the DADT repeal, but rather to ensure that military readiness and combat effectiveness are not adversely impacted,” Hunter said, according to an article published by UPI. “Given that the service chiefs carry most of the day-to-day responsibilities for each service branch, their independent certification is just as important and equally necessary.”
Hunter, a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, has drawn criticism over his bill from California Senator Dianne Feinstein, who co-sponsored the DADT bill. “This issue is settled. It’s time to move on to address what California needs, not looking backwards to derail equality.”
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