The Pentagon on Tuesday granted honorable discharges to more than 800 veterans who were separated from the U.S. military because of their sexual orientation during the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which was in effect from February 1994 to September 2011. After 2011, most of those who filed appeals were upgraded, but others might not have been aware this was an option. The Pentagon announced Tuesday that its review has led to an upgrade for more than 800 veterans, without them having to appeal. What this means is that of the nearly 13,500 individuals who were administratively separated under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, and served long enough to receive a merit-based characterization of service, 96% now have an honorable discharge,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement. The vast majority of those separated under the policy now have honorable discharges, according to Austin.

Source: Ethiopian News October 15, 2024 18:52 UTC