DADT Repeal On Cruise Control
By Rachel Whitt
Implementing the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is going smoothly and is not being met with opposition from troops, according to Clifford Stanley, US undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness.
DADT, a policy that prevented gay servicemen and women from serving openly in the U.S. Armed Forces, has been under fire from critics who believe the repeal was rushed during the waning days of the 111th Congress.
Stanley and U.S. Navy Vice Admiral William E. Gortney said the procedures that have been put in place to support implementation of the repeal have been favorably accepted by troops.
“Each service began [implementation] training on or before March 1, 2011,” Stanley said. “Every two weeks, the services provide a report on the status of training. After having received three reports over the last six weeks, the service reports that there are no problems or issues with training and that all is going well.”
The U.S. Armed Forces has implemented a transition process that supports the repeal of DADT, which requires policy and training changes within the military.
“We are indeed moving responsibly toward repeal,” Gortney said. “Training is under way, policy is under revision and we’re tracking the department’s progress. Our intent is to ensure a preponderance of the Force is prepared expeditiously but in a careful and responsible manner.”
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee, said that he believes repealing DADT was “undemocratic” and “a violation of the principles of representative democracy.”
“The repeal was rushed through Congress without adequate review and consideration of the full extent of the implications of repeal,” Wilson said.
Stanley told lawmakers that all forces should be trained in the bill’s repeal by the end of the summer, giving the military the opportunity to repeal DADT by the fall, as scheduled.
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