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Obama and Pentagon Certify "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Repeal

PHOTO: White House Flickr

History is made today. President Obama certified to Congress that the conditions necessary for repealing the 18-year-old “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” have been met. The President's certification follows that of Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman of the Adm. Mike Mullen.

Sixty days after certification—on September 20, 2011—implementation of the repeal will begin and DADT will cease to exist.

The President's statement:

Today, we have taken the final major step toward ending the discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law that undermines our military readiness and violates American principles of fairness and equality.  In accordance with the legislation that I signed into law last December, I have certified and notified Congress that the requirements for repeal have been met.  ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ will end, once and for all, in 60 days—on September 20, 2011.

As Commander in Chief, I have always been confident that our dedicated men and women in uniform would transition to a new policy in an orderly manner that preserves unit cohesion, recruitment, retention and military effectiveness.  Today’s action follows extensive training of our military personnel and certification by Secretary Panetta and Admiral Mullen that our military is ready for repeal.  As of September 20th, service members will no longer be forced to hide who they are in order to serve our country.  Our military will no longer be deprived of the talents and skills of patriotic Americans just because they happen to be gay or lesbian.

I want to commend our civilian and military leadership for moving forward in the careful and deliberate manner that this change requires, especially with our nation at war.  I want to thank all our men and women in uniform, including those who are gay or lesbian, for their professionalism and patriotism during this transition.  Every American can be proud that our extraordinary troops and their families, like earlier generations that have adapted to other changes, will only grow stronger and remain the best fighting force in the world and a reflection of the values of justice and equality that the define us as Americans.

The formal review and certification process follows conditions set under the historic repeal vote last December. The bill passed the Senate on a 65-31 vote and the House on a 250-175 vote. The President signed the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010" on December 22 2010.

Bravo and thank you to the President, the chiefs and Congress. And a million thanks to our men and women in service, and to the many advocates who pushed for repeal

The cert letter is now on Scribd:

DADTCertificationLetter

REPORT: Pentagon to Certify "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Repeal Today?

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen are prepared to announce the certification of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal as early as today, report the Wall Street Journal and Associated Press.

[Panetta's] decision, which was expected, comes two weeks after the chiefs of the military services told Panetta that ending the ban would not affect military readiness. Dismantling the ban fulfills a 2008 campaign promise by President Barack Obama, who helped usher the repeal through Congress and signed it into law late last December.

Defense officials said the announcement will be made Friday afternoon. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision had not been made public.

The bulk of the military has been trained on the new law, including a complex swath of details about how the change will or will not affect housing, transfers or other health and social benefits. In most cases, the guidelines demand that gays and lesbians be treated just like any other soldier, sailor, airman or Marine. There will be differences, however, since same sex partners will not be given the same housing and other benefits as married couples. Instead, they more often will be treated like unmarried couples.

After the Secretary of Defense announces certification, then President Obama must certify, and there is a 60-day waiting period before repeal is finally implemented.

The formal end to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" comes only weeks after a federal court ordered the government to immediately cease its enforcement. The Obama Administration appealed the ruling and said that abruptly ending the ban would complicate the orderly repeal process that was ending on schedule.

House Panel Approves Anti-Gay Amendments to Delay DADT Repeal

The Republican-controlled House Armed Services Committee approved a $553 billion military spending bill and a series of anti-gay amendments intended to stall the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell repeal process. The amendments included California Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter's proposal to require that the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps chiefs certify that implementation of DADT repeal will not compromise military readiness. The Hunter Amendment passed 33-27 mostly along party lines.

Hunter said of the military leaders, Obama never served in the military, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen has never been in ground combat and Defense Secretary Robert Gates is a political appointee. "I, and others in this room, have more combat experience than the folks who sign off on 'don't ask, don't tell," Hunter said.

Hunter's was the first of several anti-gay amendments, reports Chris Johnson at the Washington Blade.

Rep. W. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) introduced an amendment mandating that marriage ceremonies on military installations must comply with DOMA and that chaplains can only officiate in their official capacity over such ceremonies if they comply with the anti-gay law...

Another amendment came from Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.), whose measure restated that the definition of marriage under DOMA as a union between one man and one woman applies to Defense Department regulations and policies. [...]

Another anticipated anti-gay amendment didn’t see introduction before the committee on Wednesday. Palazzo was expected to introduce an amendment that would require conscience regulations for service members who have religious or moral objections to open service. His office didn’t immediately respond to the Washington Blade’s request for comment on why the measure wasn’t introduced. [...]

The Akin and Hartzler Amendments passed 38-23 and 39-22 respectively, reports the AP.

The Akin Amendment was in response to Monday's guidance that naval chapels and chaplains on base facilities could be used to celebrate same-sex marriages in states where it is legal. One day later, the policy was abruptly reversed.

The Hunter Amendment has a strong likelihood of passage by the Republican-dominated House. But even if passed, military leaders say DADT repeal "training should be completed by midsummer, setting the stage for certification. That timetable — plus strong opposition in the Democratic-controlled Senate — likely will render the House panel's provisions moot," reports the AP.

READ: Remarks by the President on Signing DADT Repeal Act of 2010

Remarks made by President Obama at this morning's signing ceremony of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Repeal Act of 2010, emailed by the White House Press Office to R20:

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  You rock, President Obama!  

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  (Laughter.)  

You know, I am just overwhelmed.  This is a very good day.  (Applause.)  And I want to thank all of you, especially the people on this stage, but each and every one of you who have been working so hard on this, members of my staff who worked so hard on this.  I couldn’t be prouder.

Sixty-six years ago, in the dense, snow-covered forests of Western Europe, Allied Forces were beating back a massive assault in what would become known as the Battle of the Bulge.  And in the final days of fighting, a regiment in the 80th Division of Patton’s Third Army came under fire.  The men were traveling along a narrow trail.  They were exposed and they were vulnerable.  Hundreds of soldiers were cut down by the enemy.  

And during the firefight, a private named Lloyd Corwin tumbled 40 feet down the deep side of a ravine.  And dazed and trapped, he was as good as dead.  But one soldier, a friend, turned back.  And with shells landing around him, amid smoke and chaos and the screams of wounded men, this soldier, this friend, scaled down the icy slope, risking his own life to bring Private Corwin to safer ground.  

For the rest of his years, Lloyd credited this soldier, this friend, named Andy Lee, with saving his life, knowing he would never have made it out alone.  It was a full four decades after the war, when the two friends reunited in their golden years, that Lloyd learned that the man who saved his life, his friend Andy, was gay.  He had no idea.  And he didn’t much care.  Lloyd knew what mattered.  He knew what had kept him alive; what made it possible for him to come home and start a family and live the rest of his life.  It was his friend.  

And Lloyd’s son is with us today.  And he knew that valor and sacrifice are no more limited by sexual orientation than they are by race or by gender or by religion or by creed; that what made it possible for him to survive the battlefields of Europe is the reason that we are here today.   (Applause.)  That's the reason we are here today.  (Applause.)

So this morning, I am proud to sign a law that will bring an end to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”  (Applause.)  It is a law -- this law I’m about to sign will strengthen our national security and uphold the ideals that our fighting men and women risk their lives to defend.

No longer will our country be denied the service of thousands of patriotic Americans who were forced to leave the military -– regardless of their skills, no matter their bravery or their zeal, no matter their years of exemplary performance -– because they happen to be gay.  No longer will tens of thousands of Americans in uniform be asked to live a lie, or look over their shoulder, in order to serve the country that they love.  (Applause.)

As Admiral Mike Mullen has said, “Our people sacrifice a lot for their country, including their lives.  None of them should have to sacrifice their integrity as well.”  (Applause.)  

That’s why I believe this is the right thing to do for our military.  That’s why I believe it is the right thing to do, period.  

President Obama's remarks are continued AFTER THE JUMP ...

VIDEO, PHOTOS: Obama Signs "Don't Ask, Dont Tell" Repeal

An historic day. The President has signed DADT repeal into law.

The New York Times:

"No longer will tens of thousands of Americans in uniform be asked to live a lie or look over their shoulder," Mr. Obama said during a signing ceremony in a packed auditorium at the Interior Department here. Quoting the chairman of his joint chiefs of staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, Mr. Obama went on, "Our people sacrifice a lot for their country, including their lives. None of them should have to sacrifice their integrity as well."

For Mr. Obama, the ceremony — held at the Interior Department because the White House is tied up with holiday tours — marked yet another in a string of last-minute, bipartisan legislative triumphs, a surprising turnaround in the wake of the self-described “shellacking” his party took at the polls last month. ... For the gay rights movement, which has been frustrated with the pace of progress under Mr. Obama, Wednesday marked a celebratory turning point. “Thank you, Mr. President,” someone shouted, as Mr. Obama took the stage, prompting a round of other shouts: “Chicago’s in the house, Mr. President! You rock, Mr. President!” Mr. Obama pronounced himself overwhelmed.

The President is seen speaking to former Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, the first Marine injured in Iraq.

The White House invited Rod 2.0 and a number of bloggers and activists to the historic event. Given plans and the timing, we weren't able to fly to D.C. last night, but are proud and honored the White House reached out to so many people. The complete video, WHEN YOU JUMP ...

READ: Pentagon Working Group Report on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Pentagon Report of the Comprehensive Review of the Issues Associated with a Repeal of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell"

The Pentagon Comprehensive Working Group Reports on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" have been uploaded to Scribd. Read the "Comprehensive Review" above. The "Support Plan for Implementation" is AFTER THE JUMP ....

Support Plan for Implementation.

Pentagon DADT Study: "Little Risk" to Allow Gays to Serve Openly

The Washington Post leaks the results of the much-anticipated Pentagon Working Group Study on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", which is scheduled to be officially released this afternoon.

The topline: Repealing the 17-year-old policy presents "little to no" risk to the armed forces.

'"According to a survey sent to 400,000 service members, 69 percent of those responding reported that they had served with someone in their unit who they believed to be gay or lesbian. Of those who did, 92 percent stated that their unit's ability to work together was very good, good, or neither good nor poor, according to the sources.

"Combat units reported similar responses, with 89 percent of Army combat units and 84 percent of Marine combat units saying they had good or neutral experiences working with gays and lesbians. At the same time, the report found that 30 percent of those surveyed overall—and between 40 and 60 percent of the Marine Corps—either expressed concern or predicted a negative reaction if Congress were to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" law, which allows gays and lesbians to serve in the military on the condition that they keep their sexuality a secret."

The next step:

"The Defense Department will formally release the report about 2:30 p.m. ET today, but officials are briefing lawmakers and other stakeholders on the findings in advance. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen and the report's co-authors, Defense Department General Counsel Jeh C. Johnson and Army Gen. Carter F. Ham will brief reporters later today. The quartet will testify Thursday before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Johnson and Ham concluded that repeal could bring about some limited and isolated disruptions in the short term, but expressed confidence that the Defense Department could adjust and accommodate changes in the long term, according to the sources."

WaPo reported this morning: "President Obama is expected to receive a copy of the report today and will certify its findings along with Gates and Mullen. He met Monday with members of the Joint Chiefs to discuss the report, according to White House officials who did not provide further details."

The Pentagon Working Group Study closely reflects the view of the broader population. According to a November survey by the Pew Research Center, 58 percent of Americans favored allowing gays to serve openly in the armed forces while 27 percent opposed.

Gates, Mullen to Release Pentagon's DADT Report to Congress

The vast majority of service members surveyed do not care if the law banning openly gay and lesbian troops from serving is repealed, according to the AP's advance on the Pentagon study to be released today.

"Officials familiar with the 10-month study's results have said a clear majority of respondents don't care if gays serve openly, with 70 percent predicting that lifting the ban would have positive, mixed or no results. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the findings hadn't been released. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen, who have both said they support repealing the law, were scheduled to discuss the findings with Congress Tuesday morning and with reporters Tuesday afternoon."

What's next?

"Democrats and gay rights groups counter that the study finally proves what they've known anecdotally for years: Most troops would accept an openly gay person in their units. 'It's what we expected. The atmosphere in the active-duty has changed,' said a gay Air Force officer and co-founder of the advocacy group OutServe. The officer uses the pseudonym 'JD Smith' to protect his identity.

The survey is based on responses by some 115,000 troops and 44,200 military spouses to more than a half million questionnaires distributed last summer. The study group, led by Pentagon General Counsel Jeh Johnson and Army Gen. Carter Ham, also visited various military bases and held town hall-style meetings with service members. The findings of troop opinions would reflect the view of the broader population. According to a November survey by the Pew Research Center, 58 percent of Americans say they favor allowing gays to serve openly in the armed forces while 27 percent oppose.

That Pew Research Center polling is HERE.

"President Obama is expected to receive a copy of the report today and will certify its findings along with Gates and Mullen," adds the Washington Post. "He met Monday with members of the Joint Chiefs to discuss the report, according to White House officials who did not provide further details."

Surveys were sent to 400,000 service members. Only 27 percent, or about 115,000 service members, responded to the survey.

WATCH: President Obama at Pentagon 9/11 Memorial

Today is the ninth anniversary of the horror of September 11, 2001. Memorials are being held at the World Trade Center site, Shanksville, PA and the Pentagon.

President Barack Obama visited the Pentagon, where a hijacked plane slammed into the building and killed 184 people. At the Pentagon Memorial, the President recalled that "awful morning" and spoke of the current political and religious tensions. "They may seek to exploit our freedoms, but we will not sacrifice the liberties we cherish or hunker down behind walls of suspicion and mistrust. They may wish to drive us apart, but we will not give in to their hatred and prejudice," Obama said. "As Americans we are not—and never will be—at war with Islam."

Watch the President speak AFTER THE JUMP ...

Colin Powell: "Things Have Changed" on Gays in the Military

As the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1993, you'll recall that Gen. Colin Powell opposed fully integrating gays in the military. In February,  Powell said that he supported repeal and this morning on ABC's This Week the general was asked why he's changed his position.

Said the retired general: "That was 17 years ago." Powell added, "I am personally of the view now that attitudes have changed and I think it is perfectly acceptable to get rid of the law and the policy but I think before we actually do it we have to hear clearly from the officers and the men and women who are charge of executing the policy. At the end of the day, the law will change and 'don't ask, don't tell' will go away."

The video is HERE beginning at 11:55.

Meanwhile: The current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, was a guest on CNN's State of the Union and said he believes Congress should have waited before voting to begin the process of repeal last week. And on Thursday, Mullen said he was "comfortable" with "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal legislation because "it includes 'very clear language' that gives senior leaders the final say in whether it’s implemented."

"Whether" versus "when"?