Military Continues Discharging Two Gay Service Members A Day Despite
On-Going War and Recruiting & Retention Woes
WASHINGTON, June 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Servicemembers Legal
Defense Network (SLDN) today released new data showing that while women
make up approximately fifteen percent of the armed forces, they account for
nearly half of all "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) discharges from the Army
and Air Force. Women have always been disproportionately affected by the
law forbidding openly gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans from military
service but the 2007 data shows a significant increase in the ban's impact.
"Women make up fifteen percent of the armed forces, so to find they
represent nearly fifty percent of Army and Air Force discharges under
'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is shocking," said SLDN executive director Aubrey
Sarvis. "'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is often used as a weapon of vengeance
against service members. Women in particular have been caught in the
crosshairs of this counterproductive law."
In FY 2007 women accounted for 14% of the Army's active duty force
while making up 46% of DADT discharges compared to FY 2006 when women
represented 17% of the Army and made up 35% of DADT discharges. Similarly,
FY 2007 data from the Air Force shows women are 20% of the force but made
up 49% of DADT discharges. That number is up from FY 2006 when females
made-up 20% of the Air Force and 49% of DADT discharges.
"Our nation is safer and more secure because of the contributions made
by all women, including lesbian and bisexual women, in the armed forces,"
said Commander Zoe Dunning, USNR (Ret.) and SLDN Board Co-chair. "The time
has come for the Pentagon and military leaders to recommend Congress repeal
'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' The ban disrupts troop morale and weakens unit
cohesion by forcing commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan, and around the
world, to separate qualified and well trained personnel for no other reason
than they are suspected of being gay," added Dunning.
According to statistics obtained from the Pentagon for Fiscal Year
2007, the armed forces continue discharging nearly two service members per
day. The separation data shows the number of discharges under "Don't Ask,
Don't Tell" have fallen by 50% since the September 11, 2001 terrorist
attacks and the beginning of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan and
Iraq. In FY 2007, at least 627 military personnel were dismissed under the
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on openly gay service members, up from 612 in
FY 2006.
In 2007 the Army discharged 302 soldiers, up from 280 the year before.
The Air Force dismissed 91 airmen, down slightly from 102 in 2006; the Navy
discharged 166 sailors, the same as the previous year; and 68 Marines were
discharged, up from 64 the year before. The Coast Guard, which discharged
11 service members in 2006, has not responded to SLDN's requests for data
filed with under the Freedom of Information Act.
The military's need for qualified and experienced personnel continues
to grow. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee recently
released data showing the Army has doubled the number of waivers it grants
to recruits convicted of violent felonies including manslaughter, rape and
kidnapping. In an attempt to meet personnel goals Pentagon leaders have
recently relaxed enlistment standards regarding age, physical fitness,
education and criminal records. The discharge of lesbian and gay Americans,
however, continues.
A bipartisan coalition in Congress supports legislation to repeal the
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law. The Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R.
1246), is currently co-sponsored by 143 lawmakers. The bill would repeal
the current law and allow lesbian, gay and bisexual personnel to serve
openly in the armed forces.
Compiled statistics on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" are available from SLDN
Communication Director Adam Ebbin at aebbin@sldn.org. Additional
information is online at http://www.sldn.org.
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is a national, non-profit legal
services, watchdog and policy organization dedicated to ending
discrimination against and harassment of military personnel affected by
'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and related forms of intolerance. For more
information, visit http://www.sldn.org.
Contact: Victor Maldonado
(202) 328-3244 / vmaldonado@sldn.org
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