WASHINGTON D.C. — (10-15-24) — After nearly 20 years, the Pentagon announced on Tuesday that more than 800 gay, lesbian and bisexual veterans who were thrown out of the US military over ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell will receive honorable discharges.
Under the 1990s Pentagon policy known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell“, thousands of gay, lesbian and bisexual service members were ejected from the military without honors between 1994 to 2011.
Many were given less-than-honorable discharges, which blocked them from receiving their earned veteran benefits such as healthcare, student loans and tuition assistance.
In 2023, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the military to begin reviewing veterans’ records to possibly upgrade discharge statuses.
In a statement released on Tuesday by the Pentagon, Austin paid tribute to “the service and the sacrifice of all our troops – including the brave Americans who raised their hands to serve but were turned away because of whom they love. With the upgrades from the review, nearly all of the 13,500 individuals who were thrown out of the US military under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell will now have an honorable discharge,” said Austin.
According to Austin, more than 800 US veterans will see their discharge papers automatically updated and will be eligible to request copies of their upgraded discharge certification.
Last summer President Joe Biden issued pardons to thousands of service members who had been convicted of a crime under military law based on their sexual orientation.
Article by: Paul Goldberg, Staff Writer
Follow @JRLCHARTS Daily on X
