News>CSAF discusses 'Don't Ask-Don't Tell' repeal, budget with Congress
Photos
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz (right) listens to a question during testimony before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington, D.C., on April 7, 2011. General Schwartz was joined by (left to right) Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead, and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz (right) prepares to testify before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington, D.C., on April 7, 2011. General Schwartz was joined by (left to right) Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead, and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz answers a question during testimony before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington, D.C., on April 7, 2011. General Schwartz provided the committee members the current status of Air Force implementation training for the repeal of the law commonly known as "Don't Ask-Don't Tell." (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)
by Capt. Chris Sukach
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
4/7/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz spoke to members of the House of Representatives here April 7 about the repeal of the law commonly known as "Don't Ask-Don't Tell" and the Air Force's fiscal 2012 budget request in two separate hearings.
General Schwartz, along with Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos, provided the House Armed Services Committee an update on the training of their forces in preparation for allowing openly gay and lesbian members to serve.
"We will rely on steady leadership at all levels to implement this change in a manner that is consistent with standards of military readiness and effectiveness, and with minimum adverse effect on unit cohesion, recruiting and retention in our Air Force," General Schwartz said.
More than 117,000 Air Force members, or 23 percent of the service, have received the training since Feb. 14, General Schwartz said. The remainder of the service should be trained by the end of June.
Overarching policy changes involving updates to accession processes, recruiting guidance, standards of conduct, and separation actions are the basis for the Air Force's implementation training, the general told the committee.
Until applicable directives are updated and released, General Schwartz said current policies remain in effect and will be enforced uniformly.
"The standards of conduct that we expect of all Airmen -- entitling every Airman to dignity, respect and equal opportunity -- will not change," General Schwartz emphasized.
Earlier that morning, General Schwartz discussed the Air Force's portion of the President's budget request for fiscal 2012 in a hearing before the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and related agencies.
The service's request includes $2 billion for military construction, military family housing and base realignment and closure, with $1.4 billion of that total going toward military construction projects, General Schwartz said.
Mentioning ongoing budgetary pressures, General Schwartz assured members of Congress the new construction projects are aligned with weapon system deliveries, strategic basing initiatives and the top operational priorities of the Air Force and combatant commanders.
The general also described the disruption that a government shutdown would cause for the Air Force, and encouraged the committee members to pass a fiscal 2011 appropriations bill.
