After Congress overturned the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that banned gays from the military, the Pentagon has announced its preparations for training gay troops. The program will begin in February, and troops could begin serving openly by the summer.
The program will include training commanders to spot signs of unease among troops. After the training, President Obama still needs to certify that the policy change will not hinder military effectiveness.
Department of Defense officials have maintained that sexual orientation is a personal and private matter. In his State of the Union address, President Obama stated, "no American will be forbidden from serving the country they love because of who they love."
Military benefits programs will not change under the new policy. Since U.S. federal law does not recognize same-sex marriage, spouses of gay troops will not be eligible for benefits that include medical care, travel expenses and housing allowances.
The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy was enacted by President Bill Clinton, and more than 13,000 service members have been dismissed since 1993.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
