Pentagon leaders are finalizing plans aimed at fulfilling a goal of former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel — the lifting of the ban on transgender individuals in the military. An announcement is expected this week, and the services would have six months to assess the impact of the change and work out the details.
Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter made the announcement yesterday:
“We have transgender soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines — real, patriotic Americans — who I know are being hurt by an outdated, confusing, inconsistent approach that’s contrary to our value of service and individual merit,” he said. “The Defense Department’s current regulations regarding transgender service members are outdated and are causing uncertainty that distracts commanders from our core missions.”
Carter has asked personnel undersecretary, Brad Carson to set up a working group of senior military and civilian leaders to take a look at the issue, identify any problems and develop uniform guidelines.
According to an official speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the plan with a reporter, the decision to gradually end the don’t ask – don’t tell policy is proof that this policy will be a success.
“I don’t think it’s been as hard as some people thought it would be” to allow gay men, lesbians and bisexuals to openly serve in the military, the official added, arguing that the gradual approach to lifting the ban eased the transition and led to the success with which it is viewed today.
Success? Really?
I guess if the goal was to see an increase in male-on-male sexual assaults, then yeah, it was a success.
During a ceremony at Pentagon Pride Month—yes, they actually celebrated this event—Carter said that “we believe in getting to a place where no one serves in silence, and where we treat all our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines with the dignity, and the respect, that they deserve.”
And as we all know, if there’s anything worthy of dignity and respect, it’s being a sexual deviant.
