In Compliance With Court Ruling, US Military Begins Taking Applications From Gay Recruits

[ruggerson]

Pentagon orders halt to 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' enforcement after court ruling

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department said Friday it would start accepting applications from gay military recruits after a federal appeals court ordered it to stop enforcing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

In a memo to the secretaries of the military branches, Clifford L. Stanley, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, directed them to comply with the court injunction immediately.

"It remains the policy of the Department of Defense not to ask service members or applicants about their sexual orientation, to treat all members with dignity and respect, and to ensure maintenance of good order and discipline," the memorandum read in part. "Further, because the injunction is once again in effect, the department will process applications for enlistment or appointment without regard to sexual orientation."

The Pentagon has also ordered a halt to all separations of gay troops, according to the Army Times.

The order came two days after a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ordered the U.S. government to immediately cease enforcing the law barring openly gay men and women from serving in the armed forces. The appeals court noted that Congress repealed the policy in December and that the Pentagon is preparing to certify that it is ready to welcome gay military personnel.

It remains unclear whether the Pentagon will appeal Wednesday's ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, though an appeal seems unlikely since the Obama administration already is committed to repealing the rule.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/43690309/ns/us_news-life/

[vaberella]

1. Yup I told a poster this. They never asked gay recruits if they were gay in the first place.

But this is a good enforcement. Thanks Ruggerson. Now the sodomy law that's on the books needs to be repealed and we're sorted.

[bluestateguy]

2. DADT is for all practical purposes over

It is no longer being enforced, the repeal groundwork has been laid down for the last 6 months. The certification will be made in a few months, and then in 60 days it is formally over.

[ruggerson]

3. It's formally dead right now

unless the lifting of the stay is appealed, which it won't be.