WTF is a DADT repeal plan?

[Are_grits_groceries]

Headline from Huffpo:
"Pentagon To Deliver 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Repeal Plan Next Week"

Are they going to do it by brigade if you want to come out?

Yoda: "Do or do not... there is no try."

[Ian David]

1. Maybe they'll start with a unit of airmen from Tuskegee. n/t

[muffin1]

2. Just another cop-out.

Keep putting it off, hope to get some GLBT dollars and votes in November. Then, of course, it will be put off again until the 2012 election. And so on, and so on...

[Tailormyst]

3. It's their segregation plan.

[zipplewrath]

4. New rules

It is what still concerns me about the way this is being handled. There will have to be a new "code of conduct" written. This could be simple, or it could be difficult depending upon how the military wants to handle it. The military already has a significant problem with heterosexual rules. (Officially adultery is a violation of the USMCJ). These guys running the military have absolutely no idea how to address the problem, because their rules for heterosexuals are so bad. Heck, their handling of WOMEN is bad. (Just as an indication of the thinking inside the pentagon, some crack pot talked about figuring out how they would handle the shower issue. i.e. will they have 3 or 4 sets of showers. Men, women, women who like women.....)

Additionally of course they're going to need rules about investigations already in progress. They also have anothers sticky issue to address. Many folks have been lying like crazy during their careers. They've filled out security clearance applications and other documentation that contains potential falsehoods/lies/distortions/etc. in order to "hide" their homosexuality. We could repeal DADT only to have a long spate of investigations about these lies. Finally, since homosexuals can't marry, there's going to be a big mess about "next of kin" and on base housing, etc.

The military is all about rules.

[PacerLJ35]

7. Simple fix to some of those problems...

I doubt the idea of having separate showers, etc for homosexual individuals will fly. That's just...ridiculous. Regarding the issue about lying or distorting the truth about one's sexual orientation...make it part of the law that the military will no longer be allowed to consider sexual orientation...in other words, if someone suddenly says "hey, I'm gay" when they've been saying they aren't, the military can't comment on it because it's no longer a point for prosecution.

I also agree that the rules regarding adultery are pretty dated...it's a FELONY to commit adultery in the military. FELONY...think about that. NO where else in our country is it a FELONY to commit adultery. Social taboo? Sure. Result in a quick divorce? Probably. Personal dishonor? Yes. Being fired from your job for unprofessional behavior with a coworker? Possibly. But no one outside the military is subject to a year in prison and a felony record for adultery. I'm not saying it's ok to sleep with your buddy's wife, but the idea of prosecuting somebody legally and sending them to jail for it (and giving them a lifetime felony on their record) is very outdated and unnecessary.

[zipplewrath]

9. I don't disagree

But the question was about the "plan" and what could possibly be required. These questions will need to be codified. And don't gloss over the lying issue. Your "fix" will be known as some sort of "universal amenesty" and that is gonna put the lawyers hairs on end. Furthermore, if you've ever taken a lie detector test for a government clearance, they ask questions like "have you ever lied to your employer" and similar questions. The military is going to have to be sure that they have covered alot of bases to truly protect these people. And to some extent that will be a tough sell.

I presume they will also attempt to extend the fraternization rules that already exist for heterosexuals to homosexual soldiers as well. That could be interesting in terms of the "definition". A female lietenant and a male colnel go on a ski trip to vail, their in trouble. A male major and a captian go on a ski trip.....

[RoyGBiv]

10. Precisely ...

... and thank you for your input.

As much as we would all love for all these things to be simple, most of them are anything but.

In the context of the military, changing a meal time isn't "simple."

[sharp_stick]

5. Possibly because

everything done by the military requires a plan.

Just telling everyone that dadt isn't in force anymore is not going to do anything, it all has to be done in a certain order with a certain rollout and cascading orders.

[muffin1]

6. One year and counting...

and we haven't even had the "hearings" yet. WTF?

[Skinner]

8. I wish things were that easy.

Even here on DU, we the admins can't do anything without a plan. I know, because whenever we "just do" it's always a disaster.

There is always some jerk out there who wants to fuck things up. And there are plenty of otherwise well-meaning people who misunderstand and push back because they fear the worst. And, of course, I can fuck things up myself if I don't plan them ahead of time.

Planning: It's what people do if they want to succeed.