USA: Defense Department to Release DADT Repeal Plan Next Week

The Defense Department next week will propose for the first time a ''way forward'' on lifting the military's ban on gays from serving openly, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said Thursday. President Barack Obama has vowed to work with Congress this year to repeal the 1993 law, but Democrats have been waiting to hear from the military on how it could be done.

In special hourlong testimony next Tuesday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen were expected to outline steps the military will take to lessen the impact on a force fighting two wars. ''The secretary and the chairman have and will continue to work on an implementation plan, and we'll be able to share (details) with you early next week,'' Morrell said.

Between 1997 and 2008, the Defense Department fired more than 10,500 service members for violating the policy. The number of dismissals dropped sharply after the 2001 terrorist attacks as forces were heavily deployed around the world, with half as many troops fired in 2008 as in 2001.

Full Story from the NY Times
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