Don't Ask. Don't Tell policy
The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Harass policy on homosexuals in the military should be completely revised.Foundation of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" On January 29, 1993, President Bill Clinton directed Secretary of Defense, Les Aspin, to submit a draft executive order "ending discrimination on basis of sexual orientation in determining who may serve." On July 19, 1993, Secretary Aspin announced a new policy for gays in the military, stating that "sexual orientation is considered a personal and private matterKand is not a bar to service entry or continued service unless manifested by homosexual conduct." The DoD policy was enacted on November 30, 1993 by Congress ordering the Secretary of Defense to revise the department of defense regulations. On February 28, 1994, after extensive hearings in Congress, the Department of defense instituted its current policy on homosexual conduct in the military. The DoD policy provides that engaging in one or more of the following acts shall be cause of removal from the military:1. If the member is found to have engaged, attempted to engage, or solicited another to engage in homosexual acts;2. If the member has stated that he or she is a homosexual or bisexual or words to that effect; a
The discharge rate for homosexuals has not decreased and the cost of training replacements has exceeded $17. I feel that the actions that I recommended will help make sure that the policy is used properly. I recommend the following actions be taken:"h First, to make sure that investigations agree with this policy, the Department should issue guidance showing that consulting with the higher headquarters legal officials is recommended before starting investigations into alleged homosexual acts. The general population, including military personnel, has had strong opinions on this issue. "h Third, the Department should use language that will make it more clear that harassment of service members based on their sexual orientation in not acceptable and that the harassers will be held responsible for their actions. The more education on gay rights means more acceptance and understanding on gay issues. After court cases have been won, service members have received the utmost respect and support. The positive outcome is not only from the policy, but also from federal court and military commands with strong leadership. Women have been discharged under the policy at rates that exceed their numbers in the force. Even though the trend from the early 1980's to the early 1990's showed gradually decreasing numbers and rates of discharges, both the number and rates of discharges for homosexual conduct have increased each year since 1994. Defense Secretary William Cohen issued stronger guidance to military commanders, reminding them that harassment of gays is wrong. The member has married or attempted to marry someone of the same sex. 597 service members were discharged in 1994 and 997 members were discharges in 1997 for homosexual conduct.
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