Timeline of Full DADT Repeal Unclear
Politico reports:
Even before President Barack Obama scribbles his signature on the legislation repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell, " gay advocacy groups are pushing the Pentagon to implement repeal in a matter of weeks.
But others — including the chiefs of staff of the services — are asking for more time.
Repealing "don’t ask, don’t tell" was a priority for Obama even during his presidential campaign. On NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday, Vice President Joe Biden said repealing the policy would bring the United States “in line with seven other of our allies around the world.”
Now the question is how long it will be before gay men and lesbians can serve openly.
The service chiefs wanted to have more than a year to implement the new policy, citing the need to train the force and prepare it for “open service,” according to a source close to the matter.
Marine Commandant Gen. Jim Amos, for example, may demand that physical modifications be made to accommodate concerns among some Marines about showering with other Marines who are serving openly. All of this could take time.
Amos may have backing on Capitol Hill, where Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), a former Marine, has been pushing the Pentagon to phase in any new policy. Webb said in a statement last week that Defense Secretary Robert Gates confirmed to him that implementation would be “sequenced in order to protect small unit cohesion.”
“We have not determined the specific methodology that would be used should this legislation pass, but I can assure you that the specific concerns that you raise will be foremost in my mind as we develop an implementation plan,” Gates told Webb in a Dec. 17 letter. “Further, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and I remain committed to work closely with the Service Chiefs and the Combatant Commanders in developing this process.”
For his part, Amos said Sunday that he would adhere to the new policy.
"Fidelity is the essence of the United States Marine Corps," Amos said in a statement. "Above all else, we are loyal to the Constitution, our Commander in Chief, Congress, our Chain of Command, and the American people. The House of Representatives and the Senate have voted to repeal Title 10, US Code 654 "Policy Concerning Homosexuality in the United States Armed Forces." As stated during my testimony before Congress in September and again during hearings before the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this month, the Marine Corps will step out smartly to faithfully implement this new policy. I, and the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, will personally lead this effort, thus ensuring the respect and dignity due all Marines.
