US military to begin training on gay troops change

**DSM4Life** · 01-29-2011, 11:29 AM

The Pentagon has begun preparing the US military for the presence of openly gay troops in its ranks and said a training programme would begin in February.

Gay troops could begin serving openly by the summer, once training has been completed and the White House agrees the policy will not hinder fighting.

But the Pentagon warned that troops' same-sex spouses would not be eligible for military benefits.

Last month the US Congress overturned the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

"It remains the policy of the Department of Defense that sexual orientation is a personal and private matter, to treat all members with dignity and respect, and to ensure the maintenance of good order and discipline," Under Secretary of Defense Clifford Stanley wrote to military leaders.

"A clear focus on leadership, professionalism and respect will enable any change in policy to be executed with minimum disruption to the force."

The new training programme is expected to begin in February. Among other elements, commanders will be trained to watch for signs of unease among the troops, and troops will be instructed on the new policy.

Benefits programmes will not change, the Pentagon warned. Because US federal law does not recognise same-sex marriage, military benefits such as medical care, travel and housing allowances and others will not be extended to same-sex couples.

When the training programme is complete, the ban will officially end 60 days after President Barack Obama certifies that the change in policy will not negatively affect military readiness.

Past battles

Mr Obama signed the law allowing gay people serving in the military to be open about their sexuality last month.

"Starting this year, no American will be forbidden from serving the country they love because of who they love," he said in his State of the Union speech earlier this week.

"It is time to leave behind the divisive battles of the past. It is time to move forward as one nation."

The "don't ask, don't tell" policy, under which the military was forbidden to question troops about their sexual orientation but troops could be expelled if their orientation were discovered, was enacted in 1993 under former President Bill Clinton.

More than 13,000 service members have been dismissed under the policy.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12313320

**Times Roman** · 01-29-2011, 11:35 AM

I'm all for it...
...one caveat though. I'd hate to see this as a title10 "protected class"

I would infinately prefer, and i hope it is the intention of this administration, that equal treatment be extended to all

...I think in another generation, this will all be major boring sh1t

**DSM4Life** · 01-29-2011, 11:38 AM

How are people being trained to deal with gay people?

**JDawg1536** · 01-29-2011, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by DSM4Life

How are people being trained to deal with gay people?

Take down defense, choke holds, arm bars, rape whistles.... I've had to use similar tactics before to keep my behymen in tact.

**DSM4Life** · 01-29-2011, 02:01 PM

New training

**JDawg1536** · 01-29-2011, 02:09 PM

Haha!

I'm sure the new training is just some HR type person giving a class on not being a douchebag. That's essentially what they all are. We had to sit through dozens of stupid training classes on everything from sexual assault and driving safety to proper wear of reflective belt and racial tolerance. They could save so much time and money by combining all these classes into a one hour "Don' be a Douchebag" presentation.

One time we had actors and actresses come to the base theater for out sexual assault and rape awareness training day. No shit, professional actors.

**HitIt** · 01-29-2011, 02:14 PM

**layeazy** · 01-29-2011, 03:51 PM

Come on the army is set up pretty gay all those men together showering, sleeping, training together its always been a sausage fest..

DSM4life you signing up now lol..

**MBMETC** · 01-29-2011, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by layeazy

Come on the army is set up pretty gay all those men together showering, sleeping, training together its always been a sausage fest..

DSM4life you signing up now lol..

All that stuff a straight guy doesn't give a second thought to, most men don't like sausage..lol

**Shol'va** · 01-29-2011, 06:57 PM

A group of military men assembled in Afghanistan, being told that the next recruits coming in were all going to be gay.....

**layeazy** · 01-29-2011, 08:37 PM

MBMETC is registering as we speak lol

Hes looking forward to being deployed

**Times Roman** · 01-29-2011, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by MBMETC

All that stuff a straight guy doesn't give a second thought to, most men don't like sausage..lol

part of what the military does is break you down as an individual including your ego somewhat, then molds you as they see fit.... modesty takes a back seat for sure.... even the toilets are lined up one after the other so that as the blokes sit down, they pass around the TP... now their knees aren't actually touching, but within maybe three feet or so... hard to remember

**DSM4Life** · 01-30-2011, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

part of what the military does is break you down as an individual including your ego somewhat, then molds you as they see fit.... modesty takes a back seat for sure.... even the toilets are lined up one after the other so that as the blokes sit down, they pass around the TP... now their knees aren't actually touching, but within maybe three feet or so... hard to remember

Any plumpkins going on ?