I'll keep this short and sweet.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates is going to kick the Don't Ask, Don't Tell repeal can down the road just a little more.
Congress voted to repeal the ban in December and Gates had said previously that he might be able to sign off on the change before he steps down at the end of the month.
The new law requires the Pentagon to make any necessary changes and then the prohibition would end 60 days after the defense secretary, the top military officer Admiral Mike Mullen and President Barack Obama certify that the military is ready to move ahead.
"I will not certify," said Gates, but added he had launched preparations to pave the way for the move.
So, Gates has made repealing DADT his legacy, but he's not going to certify. Instead, he's "launched preparation to pave the way for the move." Sounds a lot like assembling a task force to form a panel to commission a study and so forth.
DADT repeal must be certified by the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS). Then, an additional 60 day waiting period must be endured before certification is final and our LGB troops are out of danger of discharge. Robert Gates' replacement, current CIA chief Leon Panetta, has made no statements as to whether he will or will not certify DADT repeal, and is not likely to even look at the issue for at least several months. The current CJCS, Admiral Mike Mullen, is stepping down from his post on October 1. Who will replace him? Will that person be willing to certify repeal? Just what the hell is it going to take to get this thing finally done?