don't tell hell

Why You Shouldn’t Expect DADT Investigations + Dismissals to End Anytime Soon

So what’d we learn from today’s Senate Armed Services Committee hearing? For one, we learned what an MRAP is (a “Mine Resistant Ambush Protected” vehicle). And also, that neither Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey (pictured) or Army Sec. John McHugh care much about seeing this Don’t Ask Don’t Tell thing through.

In October, McHugh hinted to reporters that he’d back a DADT repeal. At the time, we called it “huge.” But responding to the committee’s Chairman Sen. Carl Levin and DADT pointman Sen. Joe Lieberman, neither McHugh nor Casey gave much evidence that they were behind a repeal as forcefully as, say, Adm. Mike Mullen. Moreover, neither recommended a temporary moratorium on DADT investigations and dismissals, which Sen. Kirsten Gillbrand (who does not sit on the committee) is trying to push through.

A moratorium “would complicate the whole process” of a possible DADT repeal, says Casey.

And you should expect the Senate’s committee to listen to them on this. While lawmakers may want DADT killed, in the meantime we expect them to follow the military leaders’ guidance. Which means, without Obama mute on an executive order to halt dismissals, a temporary moratorium appears DOA. Which means DADT won’t be repealed — and gay soldiers will continue to be investigated — until Congress repeals the law in full.

Which likely won’t come until next year.

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