Pentagon Upgrades Over 800 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Records to Honorable Discharges
Pentagon Upgrades "Over 800 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell"' Records to Honorable Discharges
The Facts
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.
The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, implemented in 1993 and repealed in 2011, allowed LGBTQ troops to serve in the armed forces as long as they didn't disclose their sexual orientation, resulting in approximately 13,500 service members being discharged for breaching the policyThe "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, implemented in 1993 and repealed in 2011, allowed LGBTQ troops to serve in the armed forces as long as they didn't disclose their sexual orientation, resulting in approximately 13.5K service members being discharged for breaching the policy.
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.
