Pentagon Spent $193 Million on DADT Enforcement
Politico reports:
The Pentagon spent at least $193 million from 2004 to 2009 to discharge 3, 664 members of the military under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” ban on gays serving openly in the armed services, the Government Accountability Office reported Thursday.
Congress repealed the ban late last month, and the Pentagon will soon explain how it plans to implement the change. “Don’t ask, don’t tell,” though, still remains in effect until President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen certify the military’s readiness will not suffer under the repeal and other implementation issues are weighed.
Still, the 17-year-old policy, begun under President Bill Clinton, has led to a host of legal fees, training, recruiting and other costs. The GAO put the per-person price tag per discharge at $52,800 during the six fiscal years, 2004 to 2009.
By far, the Army enforced the ban more than any other service, sending 1,774 soldiers back to civilian life. The Navy kicked out 913 sailors. The Air Force discharged 540 airmen. And the Marines separated 437 Marines.
