Washington, D.C. — Statement by Army Veteran and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network ( SLDN ) Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis, regarding today's House Armed Services Committee ( HASC ) hearing on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ( DADT ) repeal implementation:
"We are within hours of a government shutdown which is going to have adverse and unintended consequences on our fighting men and women in uniform. And yet, repeal opponents felt the need this afternoon to spend precious time on how to prevent gays and lesbians from serving openly and honestly in our military. Mind you, we are talking about gay and lesbian service members already in Iraq and Afghanistan who could well give their lives or limbs for this country. I am compelled to ask: Have they no shame, no sense of priorities?
"Today's hearing is yet another attempt by the committee's new majority to defund, delay, and derail the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' Unfortunately, however, it also represents more than that. It's indicative of an ongoing and coordinated effort by opponents of repeal to undermine the integrity of this process and make repeal — already decided in a bi-partisan way by the Congress, the Pentagon, the President, and the American people — a political football for the 2012 election season. We commend the service chiefs for their efforts and testimony as we work together toward certification and repeal.
"Our fight to end 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is clearly not over, and we will remain on the front lines until the job is done. It's particularly unfortunate that the full committee chairman, Mr. McKeon, has decided to become a party to this ugly cabal to play politics with our men and women in uniform. This has traditionally been a bi-partisan committee, but under the current leadership of McKeon and Wilson, that sane and sensible approach is at risk."
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Statement of Alexander Nicholson, Executive Director of Servicemembers United and a former Army Human Intelligence Collector who was discharged under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' on today's testimony by the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the House Armed Services Committee hearing on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal:
"The Joint Chiefs have now made it abundantly clear to lawmakers that they are comfortable with this policy change and that they are satisfied with their respective services' preparations for this policy change. This should be the last waste of their time and taxpayers' resources to try to undo the inevitable. 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is going away, and we will have a stronger military and a stronger nation as a result.
American Veterans for Equal Rights statement April 8, 2011
On Thursday April 7th the US House of Representatives Armed Services Committee held an oversight hearing on the ongoing DADT repeal implementation. The service chiefs of the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force were asked to testify before the committee and answer questions. From the opening remarks of the ranking majority member of the Committee, and the tone of the questions, it was clear that there had been an expectation that the service chiefs would express the same reservations and or opposition to allowing open gay service in our armed forces as they did early in 2010 at the Senate Armed Services Committee hearings. They didn't.
American Veterans For Equal Rights commends the service chiefs of our armed forces their forthright integrity and principled leadership in clearly testifying that there have been no problems in the implementation process of training service members regarding the transition, and that they do not expect to see any problems. This included direct interaction with troops in combat zones who indicated that they were focused on battling the enemy and were unconcerned about serving alongside those they have already been serving with. In response to questions about the necessity of new rules regarding disruptive conduct by gay service members in the close confines of combat and submarines, The chiefs clearly stated that the sexual orientation of their service members was irrelevant; no new rules have been needed in that the rules of conduct apply to all. The service chiefs stated that the key to the ongoing success was leadership, starting with themselves, in instructing troops on the next step in diversity in our armed forces. That is exactly what AVER stressed in consulting with the Pentagon Working Group, last year, as it studied the best ways to implement the change.
AVER condemns those members of the HASC who ignorantly insulted the integrity of our service chiefs, and all of our patriotic service members, by suggesting that their current testimony might be disingenuous due to their being within the chain of command, despite their previous testimony to the Senate last year. Those of us who have proudly served know and understand that our service chiefs meant exactly what they said when they testified that they expect nothing less than getting the job done right.
AVER's veterans have renewed faith and pride in our armed forces and its leadership, once more making our military a proud example of the strength of American diversity, and restoring our nation as a leader in the global struggle for freedom and justice.
American Veterans For Equal Rights ( AVER ) is the nation's all volunteer LGBT veteran's service organization, serving veterans and service members since 1990 and advocating equality in our armed forces.
www.aver.us
