Training for repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell ongoing for Airmen

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jess Harvey
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  Air Force officials began training Airmen March 1 in anticipation of the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell with a goal of having all Airmen trained on or about June 30.

Commanders throughout the Air Force will schedule commander's calls or other such events to ensure face-to-face training is available to as many Airmen as possible. But, in some cases, Airmen unavailable to attend the commander-sponsored training events will be able to complete make-up training online.

"This training will bring our Airmen up-to-speed on the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, its effects on DOD policies and how those policies will affect our Airmen, their organizations and the military community at large," said Ladonna McGrew, Air Force education and training representative for the DOD Repeal Implementation Team. The training was developed to help Airmen understand what is expected of them and to address upcoming changes to DOD policy and the culture within the Air Force.

Officials from all of the services worked together in coordination with the DOD Repeal Implementation Team to assess how best to implement this training with enough flexibility to allow commanders to tailor it to their needs while keeping the base-line training standard throughout DOD . The training was designed to enable leaders to teach Airmen how DOD policy changes will affect them and to reduce the stigmas associated with the changes.

Respect of others is nothing new for Airmen and the training was designed to make sure they continue to treat each other with the dignity and respect that is intrinsic to the military as a whole, McGrew said.  That is why the main message throughout the training is "Leadership, professionalism, discipline and respect."

"The key theme was to convey to our Airmen an expectation in which an individual's sexual orientation remains a person's personal and private matter," she said.

The training was designed not to force people to change, but instead to reinforce Airmen's acceptance of each other, regardless of personal, private, or cultural differences.

According to the online version of the training, "The DOD maintains its zero-tolerance policy of harassment, violence or discrimination of any service member."

Addressing the concerns of some Airmen, while reinforcing current military rules, the training states that, in appropriate circumstances and within the limitations of law and policy, Airmen may still express their moral or religious beliefs regarding sexual orientation, but it can't be to the detriment of good order and discipline.

"In today's U.S. military, people of very different moral values and religious convictions already coexist, work, live and fight together on a daily basis," the training states. In the same context, the training also tells Airmen that they do not have the right to refuse duty based on moral objections to another's sexual orientation.

That statement was based on the manual for courts-martial regarding a service member's obligation to obey orders. It states, "The dictates of a person's conscience, religion or personal philosophy cannot justify or excuse the disobedience of an otherwise lawful order."

Chaplains are not expected to take actions inconsistent with their religious beliefs, but that's not a new concept, according to the training. Chaplains already serve Airmen of many different cultures and moral backgrounds and do so with the utmost respect and professionalism.

During the training's introduction video, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy voiced his faith in Airmen to accept and ensure the success of these changes.

"Throughout this process, the conduct we expect of Airmen will not change," the chief said. "We know that each of you will approach this issue professionally and will continue to adhere to the core values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do."

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz echoed the chief, stating his belief that Airmen will successfully implement the change.

"I do not expect Airmen to change their personal beliefs, but I do expect Airmen to continue to treat each other as members of the Air Force family with dignity and respect," the general said. "By following our core values, we will successfully implement this change with the same unparalleled professionalism we have demonstrated with every transformation we have undertaken in both peace and war."