Pentagon Upgrades 800+ "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Discharges
Pentagon Upgrades 800+ "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Discharges
The Facts
The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, implemented in 1993 and repealed in 2011, allowed LGBTQ troops to serve in the armed forces if they didn't disclose their sexual orientation, resulting in approximately 13,500 service members being discharged.The Pentagon has upgraded the service records of over 800 military personnel who were discharged under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy to honorable discharges, granting them access to previously denied benefits.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered a review of cases affected by the policy last year, leading to the proactive examination of 851 cases, with 96.8% receiving relief.The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, implemented in 1993 and repealed in 2011, allowed LGBTQ troops to serve in the armed forces as long as they didn't disclose their sexual orientation, resulting in approximately 13,500 service members being discharged.
The Spin
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While the upgrade of discharges is a positive development, it comes too late for many affected veterans who have already faced years of economic insecurity, housing instability, and mental health concerns due to their less-than-honorable discharges. The process of reviewing and upgrading discharges has been slow and burdensome for many veterans, and there are still thousands of cases that have not been addressed. More proactive measures are needed to ensure all affected veterans receive the recognition and benefits they deserve.
