cross-posted at Pam's House Blend
This afternoon USMC Gen James Cartwright, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Clifford Stanley, Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, held a press briefing to discuss the implementation of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal. They outlined the certification process, talked about training requirements, and clarified some issues of concern.
First, and most important, there is no target date for repeal implementation. Gen Cartwright stated that leadership believes it can be done by the end of 2011, but reiterated that there is no set target date. He did not clarify whether "the end of 2011" includes the additional 60-day waiting period mandated by the repeal law.
Second, there will be no partner benefits granted to LGB servicemembers. Undersecretary Stanley was very clear that the DOD must follow DOMA, and thus could not list same-sex spouses as dependents for purposes of family benefits. One of the questions raised was whether the DOD was looking at policy changes akin to those in the State Department which allow some partner benefits, such as accompanied overseas tours. At the moment, the DOD is not considering such policies.
Third, sexual orientation will not be a protected class for Equal Opportunity programs in the same way that race, gender, ethnicity, and religion are. Command Managed Equal Opportunity (CMEO) policies will not change Any issues of discrimination will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the unit commander. Gen Cartwright stated, "There is no special policy needed." So if a gay soldier has a fundamentalist christian commander who believes that s/he should be discriminated against, that soldier had better be prepared to go above that commander's head. We'll see how this plays out the first time someone is passed over for promotion due to sexual orientation, or is harassed by his or her fellow troops and has no legal recourse.
Fourth, objections from the Chaplains' Corps are of no consequence. The question was raised about concerns from the Chaplains' Corps. USD Stanley stated that all chaplains are there to serve the force, that they will abide by their own faith guidelines as they always have, and that no special policies are expected. Boy, these guys sure do have a lot of confidence in professed bigots in the ranks.
SECDEF Robert Gates wants to implement a three-step process for repeal implementation. First, change the policies. Second, develop appropriate training and make necessary changes to current training. Third, deliver the training to the force. Each service is responsible for delivering the training to its personnel because each service conducts training a little differenlty depending on the unit and type of training. Pentagon leadership anticipates that this whole process will take most of 2011, because training has to be delivered to the active duty force, and Guard and Reserve troops, as well. Certification by ADM Mullen, SECDEF, and President Obama will not happen until the majority of the force has received the training, although it will not require that 100% of the units be trained. Gen Cartwright stated that one of the things leadership is keeping in mind is that moving along quickly is better than dragging it out. That has been the case for all the services and nations that have done this. For now, the unofficial goal is the end of 2011, because that is considered attainable.
Initially, the services will focus on training at the unit level for the force, but the DOD will mandate that each individual person be responsible for certifying that they have received the training. It may or may not become an annual training requirement, but each individual must certify that they have received the training in order to better enforce the new law and policies. Such a certification will supposedly make it easier to discipline those who violate the law because they will be accountable.
One of the major concerns by advocacy groups is that, since sexual orientation will not be covered under EEO regs, that servicemembers will have no legal recourse when they are discriminated against or harassed. USD Stanley kept repeating that it was a matter of leadership, of basic professionalism. Time will tell how it all plays out.