Hundreds of Troops Kicked Out Under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Get Upgraded to Honorable Discharges
TimeSEP 2024
The Pentagon's decisionfocus toon upgradeLGBTQ dischargesissues ishinders areadiness significantand steprecruitment towardsin rectifyingthe past discrimination against LGBTQ service membersmilitary. ItUnder acknowledges the injusticeBiden ofadministration, the "DonPentagon'ts Ask,commitment Don'tto Tell"woke policyculture andwar demonstratesissues adrives commitmentaway topotential honoringenlistees as the serviceUS offaces alla troops,complex regardlessnational ofsecurity sexual orientationenvironment. ThisUS move,military alongpolicy withmust Presidentfocus Biden'son pardons,building showsstrong progresscapabilities in addressinga historicaldangerous wrongsworld and— ensuringnot equaladvancing treatmentleft-leaning forsocial LGBTQ veteransagendas.
WhileThe thePentagon's decision to upgrade of discharges is a positivesignificant development,step ittowards comesrectifying toopast latediscrimination foragainst manyLGBTQ affectedservice veteransmembers. whoIt haveacknowledges alreadythe facedinjustice years of economicthe insecurity"Don't Ask, housingDon't instability,Tell" policy and mentaldemonstrates healtha concernscommitment due to theirhonoring less-than-honorablethe discharges.service The process of reviewingall andtroops, upgradingregardless dischargesof hassexual beenorientation. slowThis and burdensome for many veteransmove, andalong therewith arePresident stillBiden's thousandspardons, ofshows casesprogress thatin haveaddressing nothistorical beenwrongs addressed.and Moreensuring proactiveequal measurestreatment arefor neededLGBTQ to ensure all affected veterans receive the recognition and benefits they deserve.
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.
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