I've come into possession of screen shots taken from the Department of Defense's electronic inbox for the Pentagon's Working Group Study. They were taken two days ago, on June 9, 2010 and forwarded to me by the group Citizens for Repeal. The study has commenced and they are collecting troop input.
I ask that everyone ask themselves, "Would You Fill Out This Form, If You Were an LGB Servicemember?"
You can right click, or option click to view these images larger.
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Screen 1
Please note, as you log in, you are asked to give your Department of Defense log-in ID number, identifying you to the system, you are not anonymous. Your ID number is your fingerprint. You will then be agreeing to this:
"Communications using, or data stored on, this [Information System] are not private, are subject to routine monitoring, interception, and search, and may be disclosed or used for any [United States Government] authorized purpose."
I remind everyone a "Don't ask, Don't tell" investigation is still an authorized US Government purpose.
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Screen 2
This screen says:
"In this Online Inbox, we ask that you provide your views on these issues, and we urge you to be open and honest with your responses. We look forward to hearing from you.
As a reminder, please don't use your name or the names of other when post in the Inbox. The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law is still in effect.
We will be offering a separate way for you to communicate thoughts and ideas in a confidential manner for the Working Group's consideration, and will announce that confidential mechanism when it is available. We encourage you to use this Online Inbox to provide anonymous inputs to the Working Group."
My Active Duty sources inside the military have told me this alternate "confidential mechanism" has not yet been made available to the troops. At the most generous assessment we can then conclude that foes of repeal have been empowered to speak freely in support of the continuation of the policy, and have been granted a head-start.
Update: Thanks to AUboy2007 for pointing out this worrisome language which escaped me:
The Department must develop an implementation plan for repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", should repeal occur.
Should? I thought we were done talking about whether or not to repeal?
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Screen 3
Again with the bold disclaimer (and disincentive for repeal advocates, and DADT victims to speak freely).
NO CONFIDENTIALITY PROTECTION
And again, with the assurances that repeal advocates will be afforded an opportunity to speak. Someday (that day isn't yet today).
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Screen 4
I accept the User Agreement.
And accept by implication, anything I say can, and will, lead to a possible DADT investigation and possible expulsion from military, truncating my career, disgracing my name (or at least my country), and subjecting me to possible very heavy financial penalties and the cutting or total loss of Veteran's benefits.
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Screen 5
This is a non-confidential Online inbox. Please do not use your name or the names of others within your comments.
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Screen 6
This is a non-confidential Online inbox. Please do not use your name or the names of others within your comments.
Note too "For Military Servicemembers and their families only." The invisible families of LGB servicemembers will likely be given no input at all, ever. The partners, who receive no base housing, no official recognition at a military funeral, the non-biological children, the effect DADT has on their lives may never be heard at all by the Pentagon.
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Conclusion:
Senator Claire McCaskill asked the question back in February, "How can our LGB troops possibly be heard?" Joint Chief of Staff Michael Mullen said they'd "look at that carefully," but I'm not sure we've ever gotten a satisfying answer or assurances that they will be.
Thus far, the only people who are powered to input their feedback into the study are those who feel confident they are immune to possible investigation. The information collection seems biased toward those who lean toward support of continuing DADT. Those suffering from the policy are severely hampered in their effort to communicate that to the Pentagon. Those who feel for and support the victims of DADT, are too, dissuaded from sharing honestly their experiences, lest the admit insubordination.
Sympathetic commanders who have looked the other way regarding LGB troops serving under them too have been muzzled to speak freely. We know these platoons exist.
But absent expressed permission to speak freely without fear of reprisal, these commanders face the fact that they are admitting to insubordination of Military code, should they tell honestly their experience of tacitly endorsing open experience.
The answer is clear, let all troops speak freely without fear of reprisal. A time-honored "immunity from prosecution" agreement.
Initiate a policy suspending DADT investigations and expulsions for the purposes of the Working Group Study. Let them go into units where open service is actually happening in the American Military right now. Let them talk to the commanders, the soldiers freely.
The call has been made. Our allies in Congress have heard and answered the call.
Let the Pentagon hear the call. Let our LGB troops speak. Finally.
Update 1: It's worth mentioning too that the website for Citizens for Repeal was added several days ago to the Department of Defense's "Blackout" list. Apparently they don't want soldiers to be able to access a site devoted to repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." I'd be curious to know what motivated such a decision.
