Shortly after the Senate voted to end Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Saturday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates issued a statement reminding servicemembers that the law will remain in place until after the repeal is officially approved by the President, Defense Secretary and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“It is … important that our men and women in uniform understand that while today’s historic vote means that this policy will change, the implementation and certification process will take an additional period of time,” Gates said. “In the meantime, the current law and policy will remain in effect.”
Gates noted that preparations for the policy’s end will be taken as soon as the President signs the bill, an effort that will be led by Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Clifford Stanley, who helped author a Pentagon study on the repeal.
“The Department of Defense will immediately proceed with the planning necessary to carry out this change carefully and methodically, but purposefully,” Gates said.