Air Force leaders issue statement on certification of readiness to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell

News > Air Force leaders issue statement on certification of readiness to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Related Biographies
• MICHAEL B. DONLEY • CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT OF THE AIR FORCE JAMES A. ROY • GENERAL NORTON A. SCHWARTZ

Air Force leaders issue statement on certification of readiness to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Posted 7/22/2011

Email story Print story

7/22/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy issued the following statement today:

Today marks a significant milestone in the history of the Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force. The secretary of Defense and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff certified that the Department of Defense is ready to implement the repeal of the law commonly known as Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Over the past seven months, the Air Force has embarked on a vigorous effort to prepare for the repeal and has provided education and training materials to help all Airmen understand what is expected in a post-repeal environment. While congressional language stipulates that repeal will not occur for another 60 days after certification by the DOD and President Obama, the Air Force stands ready to implement this change with the same unparalleled professionalism we have demonstrated with every transformation that we have undertaken in peace and war.

Comments

8/22/2011 4:08:02 PM ET
We used to be a Godly nation. What's next? Only the Almighty can help us now..

Ken K, Texas

8/11/2011 10:20:36 AM ET
Aywuncee you have to be joking. It has been clearly spelled out that any harassment or otherwise inappropriate behavior between individuals regardless of sexual preference will be punished. Please stop pushing farfetched tales of doom.

Analyst, Barksdale

8/10/2011 11:57:32 AM ET
No, but seriously, try going to tech school where some offer you money to engage in activities or attempt to incite the same behavior when you shower or change. Then immediately the next day you find yourself sitting next to them in class as they consistently hit on you, assuming that because DADT is repealed it makes it ok because they can't get in trouble. If it were a man doing the same to a female you already know he would be out of this Air Force faster than all get out. It's not too much of a matter of religion so much a matter of morale. That stuff is real and happens more frequently than you think.

Aywuncee, Overseas

8/8/2011 12:43:17 PM ET
WOW! Not Wow to the repeal of DADT but WOW to the comments on this article. I suppose ignorance truly IS bliss to most of you. How many of you ever played high school or college sports? You have likely showered with someone who is gay or lesbian. How many of you have ever been or are currently in a situation where you shower in an open bay? Guess what? Same as above. Whether you know it or don't, you have probably already showered with, worked for, supervised, dined with, trained with, fought with, and otherwise rubbed shoulders with a homosexual. The repeal of DADT didn't CREATE homosexuals. It just allows them to stop hiding who they are. Get over it!

KR, Sheppard AFB

8/4/2011 6:09:33 PM ET
Separate showers or co-ed showers will balance this out, and start at Basic so males know they have to share their shower space with a female and females know they have to share their shower space with a male. Problem solved right there, along with some decreases in sexual assault cases across the board. Don't you know God is mad at the U.S. and other countries that are praising this kind of behavior.

Tiger , AL

8/3/2011 4:43:33 PM ET
So now we are supposed to accept that which is abnormal behavior as normal? I know from my own family what a bunch of misfits those people are. We are weakening our nation by embracing such a disgusting lifestyle. We are heading the way of the Roman empire.

Tom, Travis AFB

8/1/2011 11:20:21 AM ET
Honestly, I have friends and relatives who are gay. I don't believe in it but I am not a hater. To each his own. However, when I, as a straight male, am forced to share open bay showers and living quarters with an openly gay male, that's when I have a problem with it. You wouldn't force a female and male to shower together, then why allow a male who might be sexually attracted to another male to shower together. Want them to serve openly? Then it's separate showers and living accommodations for everyone. Otherwise you just stripped the straight member of his or her rights and dignity.

Capt Wanna Retire, Maxwell

7/29/2011 5:14:58 PM ET
I honestly don't understand what all the homophobic hype is about. It's almost like these people are being treated as subhuman. We've all taken the DADT CBT and it clearly states and almost everything that straight married couples are entitled to gays will not have access to. So if a member PCS's their life partner can't come with them without breaking the bank and even if they go they aren't entitled to spouse support when their partner deploys. I'd like to point out a fundamental fact that separate is not equal and so to assume that gays will get a free pass simply by being 'let in' is a massive falacy to make. At the same time they are subject to the same sexual assult repercussions that straights are subject to. We aren't asking for you to bow down before us we're asking that you treat us like human beings and let us defend our country just as you do.

Hilo, Beale AFB

7/29/2011 9:18:37 AM ET
I love when people quote the bible about homesexuality but are complete hypocrites when they ignore their own sins. It's even more hilarious when they quote levictus but don't read all of levictus and see how insane it is. You know back in 1949 it was an abomination to see interracial marriage and the same angry rhetoric was published back then. People thought it was the end of our county. I can't imagine how ridiculous those people feel as well as how stupid they look. get over yourselves people. It's simply stunning to see my military filled with such bigots that call themselves patriots.

thomas, aviano italy

7/28/2011 10:10:20 PM ET
Like Stephanie said we don't all go by the book so let people love who they want to. Hopefully this is the foot in the door that will help us reconsider that silly Article concerning adultery. Then what goes TDY won't have to stay TDY.

Ladies Man, Deployed

7/28/2011 9:54:25 AM ET
Wow! Less rights for straight people and full immunity for gays. So if a gay guy hits on you and you tell him no because you are not gay what then? You get in trouble for hurting his feelings. This is ridiculous, one step closer to the end of the world, especially now that in California they are teaching gay history in schools.

Chris, JBSA

7/27/2011 9:09:55 PM ET
Since when has someones sexual orientation been a qualifier to how well they can perform? We are supposed to defend the rights and priveledges of our countrymen. Why not support our fellow soldiers? No one said you have to change your orientation. I am glad that anyone who wants to serve this great nation and is willing to sacrifice so much can do so now without fear of retribution.

John M., San Antonio TX

7/27/2011 6:11:35 PM ET
I don't understand DOC's comment. We have always been able to recognize the hard work and dedication of our service members.

Sgt Whoever, USA

7/27/2011 4:47:12 PM ET
You guys should stop being such monsters. I am so sorry that everyone in this world is not the same. Let people love who they want to love. We need to be more open minded and more supportive of one another. Sorry that we all don't go by the book. If you have had gay friends in your life you know they are just like us and they are all great people.

Stephanie, Fairchild

7/27/2011 1:03:47 PM ET
@SrA Rescue sounds like the 66th lost a good man because he couldn't pass multiple PT tests, not because he was gay or that DADT was CNX'd before he got the boot. -Former Rescue guy from Moody.

B, KS

7/27/2011 3:15:12 AM ET
This is about treating people with respect and treating ALL people equally. Some of the comments here make me think how many of you treat people who aren't the same color, religion, sex, and obviously orientation. Are you teaching your children this hatred? This bible-thumping righteousness would be laughable if it wasn't so disgusting.

Danny D', RAFL

7/27/2011 12:57:16 AM ET
not cool!

deployed, undisclosed location

7/26/2011 11:03:01 PM ET
I am so very glad to see this awful thing finally be repealed. It is very saddening that a friend of mine who was recently discharged for PT failures wasn't in the service to finally come out to his friends and family. He would have been the proudest and most blue homosexual gunner in the DoD. I love this country. The 66th lost a good man.

Sra Rescue, DM

7/26/2011 5:33:10 PM ET
Retired and Paul spoke the truth. Did they not calculate the chain reaction that's going to happen? I think those things are next in line. Heck, they even let the people dressed in our uniform do a Gay parade and as a result the U.S. contractors have been found to be helping the enemy. The title of the world's best military has been lost and it shows. This world is becoming twisted more and more.

Test Subject 102, DoD Lab

7/26/2011 4:33:12 PM ET
Thankfully, we will be able to recognize the hard work and dedication our silent wingmen and women have provided all these years. Pay no attention to the distractors as I'm sure they would still have racially segregated services as well. Thank you gay, lesbian, and bisexual active duty, Reserve and Guardspersons. Thank you for keeping your dignity about you, for fighting the good fight and for doing what is right.

Doc, California

7/26/2011 11:09:07 AM ET
So glad I am retired. Estimated 65,000 AD and reserve troops ... serve in silence. Since when? 65,000? Where did you pull that number from? LGBT Website itself? This is only the beginning. This is just an attempt to get the federal government to recognize gay marriage. As soon as someone can't get John or Jane a DoD ID card the lawsuits will be filing left and right. BTW who donates a lot of money to left wing causes? Trial lawyers. Follow the money.

Retired, Luke AFB

7/26/2011 10:54:35 AM ET
If I am to burn in hell for treating all airmen with fairness and equality then I want no part of heaven.

Analyst, Barksdale

7/26/2011 9:43:12 AM ET
We are going to burn in hell.

Disgusted, Jacksonville FL

7/26/2011 9:42:48 AM ET
What a sad day for America. When we are more proud to come out of the closet than clean it....we should be ashamed, not celebrating.

Gary Smith, Jacksonville FL

7/26/2011 8:41:00 AM ET
What's next? Marrying first cousins? Polygamy? How about marrying a child? Or your pet? I happen to think this is a very sad day for our country and ask God's forgiveness for the direction we are heading.

Paul, San Antonio

7/25/2011 7:44:37 PM ET
Oh this is just fabulous...

Sgt Peanut, Conus

7/24/2011 7:42:05 PM ET
And how long before the first law suits in re to the military NOT recognizing legally married gay couples? It's gonna get ugly...and expensive.

MSgt Michael Carnevale Ret, Colorado Springs CO

7/23/2011 10:39:59 AM ET
This was hands down the right thing for the president to do. The estimated 65000 active-duty and reserve troops that bravely serve our nation no longer have to do so in silence this September. The end of DADT will bring equality to the ranks an all volunteer force comprised of Americans from every conceivable background, including lesbian women and gay men.

John McKinnon, San Diego

7/22/2011 11:19:45 PM ET
What a wonderful day this is. Words cannot describe how excited I am that DADT will now finally be gone forever sixty days from now. As a proud gay active duty air force veteran here at Luke Air Force Base, I can now no longer worry about being kicked out of the Air Force. I want to thank President Obama for everything that he has done for the LGBT community and keeping his campaign promise to get rid of DADT once and for all. Today is truly a wonderful day.

Jonathan B, Luke Air Force Base

7/22/2011 6:31:22 PM ET
We reap what we sow. May God have mercy on this nation.

S. Priebe, Memphis

Add a comment

Inside AF.mil

GeneralImagesVideo

View All RSS

Subscribe AF.MIL

More Headlines

New training facility opens in Wyoming

Solar power lights up Southwest Asia

Separate paths bring brothers together for Christmas  1

All I want for Christmas ... Daddy!

Osan community brightens holidays for Korean orphans  |  VIDEO

Deployed Airman receives Christmas phone call from President Obama

Air Force Week in Photos

Premier AF concert band 'wows' fellow musicians at Midwest Clinic  11

Pararescue, security forces Airmen train as one  10

Through Airmen's Eyes: High school reunion ... above Afghanistan

Space Fence program moves forward  1

Kunsan AB, Hurlburt Field Airmen unite to spread holiday cheer

Operation Christmas Drop  1

Air Force Week in Photos

Commentary

Legacy of valor 1

There IS an I in team 3