U.S. Army on DADT

It’s taken 18 years to reverse “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” since it was first put into play by the Clinton Administration in 1993, but after much debate last year, the U.S. Army has launched a website that addresses the law that now lets LGB people serve opening in the military.

The site begins by delving into the legislation’s history. “Since 1993, the law and policy known as ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ (DADT) has provided that homosexual conduct is a bar to serve in the Armed Forces,” says the homepage. “On Dec. 22, 2010, the DADT Repeal Act became law. It provides for the repeal of DADT to be effective 60 days after the President, the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff certify to Congress that the Armed Forces are prepared to implement repeal.”

Since the legislation’s been adopted, the U.S. Army has been in the process of enforcing the new law that allows gays to openly serve without fear of discharge. To streamline the change, the website outlines facts about the repeal and standards of conduct, as well as a narration, scripts, policy guidelines and implementation plans. There’s also a comment section where military personnel, family members and the general public can provide feedback and ask questions.

“It’s a way for the Army to provide the latest and greatest information about the repeal to soldiers, family members and the public,” Lt. Col. Timothy M. Beninato, the public affairs advisor to the assistant secretary of the Army for manpower and reserve affairs, tells ARNEWS. “Currently, the chain of command is the primary means for asking questions, which can significantly limit non-military individual’s ability to ask questions about the repeal.”

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