The military's plan on implementing
repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” will emphasize respect and
professionalism.
Congress repealed the law that bans gay
and bisexual troops from serving openly during last month's lame-duck
session of Congress, but the policy won't be officially lifted until
President Obama and top Pentagon officials certify that the military
is ready for the change.
The plan to ready the military for the
change will emphasize respect, the military's daily Stars and
Stripes reported.
According to the plan released on
Friday, defense officials do not plan any major policy or procedure
overhauls to accommodate open gay service.
“The department will not offer
changes in its standards of conduct, expressions of religious
beliefs, military benefits, medical policies or duty assignment,”
the paper wrote.
“It remains the policy of the
Department of Defense that sexual orientation is a personal and
private matter, to treat all members with dignity and respect, and to
ensure maintenance of good order and discipline,” Clifford Stanley,
undersecretary of defense for personnel readiness, wrote in a memo to
the service chiefs.
There will be no separate housing or
bathing facilities built for openly gay troops, and service members
previously separated under “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” will be
allowed to reapply for service, the plan also announced.