Air Force DADT Training Timeline And Issues Still To Come

I was passed this document (PDF) from the Air Force talking about their implementation plan for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

There are a couple interesting things to pick out of here. First, that all training is to be completed by June 2011. To me, this represents that the top brass of the Air Force fully expect the repeal to be certified soon, as training is to begin in April 2011. So that's good news for those of us skeptical of when the repeal would be certified.

Second is section 2, labeled Policy. This is pretty much what I figured would happen, but I was hoping for something more. Essentially, this section confirms that the Air Force plans on ONLY implementing the letter of the repeal, meaning that they will no longer discriminate based on sexual orientation when considering recruiting, promotion and kicking people out. However, they will not put in to place any other policies to even the playing field for LGB soldiers.

The housing policy will not change. The pay scale policies will not change. The medical benefits policies will not change. Even naming a partner/spouse as your benefactor or next of kin will still not be allowed, as the Federal Government does not recognize this. Essentially, they are stating that because of DOMA, they cannot implement any other changes.

And this is where I call bull shit. While I am fully aware that the armed forces are simply limited in what they can and cannot provide because of federal policies, I'm going to point to the State Departments recent revelations that they can, indeed, provide same-sex partner benefits and can provide for housing of same-sex partners to foreign-service employees. They are regulated by federal policy as well, yet they have found a way to make it work.

I knew this would be a problem. I knew that this repeal would be just the beginning. And I know that there will be many more discussions, legislative efforts, and lawsuits to come to iron out these policies to make them fair for every soldier.

But this does still benefit quite a few soldiers and potential recruits. I think it will mostly aid young LGB people considering a one-time enlistment in military service, possibly so they can take advantage of GI benefits. These young people may not yet be in a place where they are concerned about long-term relationships or partner benefits, etc. But if they get stop-lossed because we're still tied up in senseless wars, this could become a problem.

For anyone considering longer service, there are still many hurdles to overcome. They'll get no support when it comes time to move because they've been re-assigned to another base. They're spouse will receive no support while the soldier is deployed. It doesn't even look like the soldier's partner will get base privileges. It's not like soldiers are on the top of the pay scale, so trying to find private insurance for their significant others is going to be prohibitive. In short, life for LGB soldier's trying to make a career out of service will still not be easy.

But progress is progress. As anyone familiar with the military knows, everything is a process and change does not come quickly or easily to the armed service branches.