FRC Has The Trans Troops Sadz

"The Pentagon must answer whether this proposed policy makes our military more capable of performing its mission. The answer is a very clear and resounding no. This has everything to do with President Obama’s social agenda for the military, but it has nothing to do with enhancing military readiness. No new science has led to the Pentagon’s transgender study—only the politics of the Obama administration and the transgender movement. Allowing the Obama administration to use the military as a tool of social re-engineering will only undermine morale, unit cohesion, and readiness. It’s time that we allow the military to focus on its only job—defending our country against its enemies." - Family Research Council vice present Jerry Boykin, via press release.

Trans Troop Ban Nears End

The Pentagon is finalizing its plans to lift the ban on transgender service members. Via the Associated Press:

An announcement is expected this week, and the services would have six months to assess the impact of the change and work out the details, the officials said Monday. Military chiefs wanted time to methodically work through the legal, medical and administrative issues and develop training to ease any transition, and senior leaders believed six months would be sufficient.

The officials said Defense Secretary Ash Carter has asked his personnel undersecretary, Brad Carson, to set up a working group of senior military and civilian leaders to take an objective look at the issue. One senior official said that while the goal is to lift the ban, Carter wants the working group to look at the practical effects, including the costs, and determine whether it would affect readiness or create any insurmountable problems that could derail the plan. The group would also develop uniform guidelines.

During the six months, transgender individuals would still not be able to join the military, but any decisions to force out those already serving would be referred to the Pentagon's acting undersecretary for personnel, the officials said. One senior official said the goal was to avoid forcing any transgender service members to leave during that time.

It's estimated that as many as 15,000 trans troops are already serving in secret.

Defense Sec. Chuck Hagel Includes Image Of Gay Proposal In Holiday Message

In a holiday message posted earlier this month, outgoing Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and his wife included an image of a gay sailor proposing to his boyfriend.

(Via Towleroad)

Ashton Carter To Be Defense Nominee

Carter was Deputy Secretary of Defense from October 2011 to December 2013.  He's thought to be an uncontroversial choice, but you-know-who might try to block the nomination just because.

LIVE VIDEO: President Obama Announces Resignation Of Defense Secretary Hagel

The announcement is due at 11AM.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel Resigns

The "pushed or jumped?" chatter is lighting up Twitter.

Pentagon Recognizes LGBT Pride Month

The Department of Defense issued similar flyers in 2012 and 2013 and all three include the word "transgender" despite the continuing ban on transgender service.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel To Squash Rogue National Guard Units

As I've reported several times, National Guard units in several states have refused to grant spousal benefits to legally married gay couples, claiming that state laws supersede federal military policies. That's going to stop. From a speech given last night by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel:

Today, I directed the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, General Frank Grass, to take immediate action to remedy this situation. At my direction, he will meet with the Adjutants General from the states where these ID cards are being denied. The Adjutants General will be expected to comply with both lawful direction and DoD policy, in line with the practices of 45 other states and jurisdictions. Whether they are responding to natural disasters here at home, in their states, or fighting in Afghanistan, our National Guardsmen all wear the uniform of the United States of America. They are serving this country. They – and their families – are entitled to all the benefits and respect accorded to all of our military men and women.

Read the full speech.

Department Of Defense Video Tracks Military Couple Enjoying New Benefits

Sometimes it feels like we've moved to a different planet.

Meanwhile In Texas...

From the memo:

The DoD will begin extending spouse and family benefits, such as identification cards, to same-sex spouses. Enrollment into the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) will begin on 3 September 2013 The TXMF is a state agency under the authority and direction of the Texas state government. Therefore, the TXMF must consider that the Texas Constitution and Texas Family Code 6.204 conflicts with the DoD policy extending benefits to same-sex spouses. Due to this potential conflict, we are unable to enroll same-sex families into DEERs at our state supported facilities until we receive legal clarification.

UPDATE: Over on Twitter, Josh Barro wonders if this is just a procedural issue and prods me to post more from the memo in which Nichols directs same-sex spouses to visit a nearby federal base to enroll. The below list is from an internal memo addressed to "All TXMF Members" and the bases are not cited at the above link.

However, the TXMF remains committed to ensuring its military personnel and their families receive the benefits to which they are entitled. As such, we encourage anyone affected by this issue to enroll for benefits at a federal installation, which include: NAS Corpus Christi PSD, Corpus Christi Army Deport (CCAD), Ft Hood Copeland Service Center, Ft Hood Military Personnel Center NAS JRB Visitor Control Center, Fort Bliss, US Army Corps of Engineers, ACOE Building ID Card Section, NAS Kingsville, Lackland AFB, Randolph AFB, USAF PKI SPO, Fort Sam Houston, Wilford Hall, HQ AF ISR Agency CSS, 340 FTG ID Card Section, Sheppard AFB Personnel Building, Dyess AFB, Goodfellow AFB, Laughlin AFB. 

 UPDATE II: The Washington Blade has more on the story.

Alicia Butler, an Austin, Texas, attorney, said she was rejected when she tried to register with the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, or DEERS, the military’s health benefits system, when she applied on Tuesday at Camp Mabry, where her spouse, Judith Chedville, a nurse and Iraq war veteran, is stationed as a member of the National Guard. “We were told that Texas would not register us into the system and would not issue an ID card for me,” Butler said. “We were told that if she was active duty they would do that for me, but not for a National Guard member because she’s part of the Texas National Guard.”

The explanation the couple was given, Butler said, was that they were denied because she and her spouse are the same gender. Butler said she and her spouse were legally married in California. Butler added she and her spouse were directed to another facility in Texas that is run by the federal government. “They told us to go to a different facility, such as Ft. Hood in San Antonio, where the federal government runs the facility, so that we could get the ID card,” Butler said. “That’s an hour-and-a-half drive for me, and we have a five-month-old, so that’s kind of hard.”

Secretary Of Defense Chuck Hagel Issues Memo Confirming Military Leave Policy For Same-Sex Marriages

Hit the full-screen icon and enjoy!

AFGHANISTAN: Defense Department Posts Pride Clip Featuring Gay & Lesbian Troops

Defense Sec. Chuck Hagel: We Will Begin To Implement DOMA Changes At Once

"The Department of Defense welcomes the Supreme Court's decision today on the Defense of Marriage Act. The Department will immediately begin the process of implementing the Supreme Court's decision in consultation with the Department of Justice and other executive branch agencies. The Department of Defense intends to make the same benefits available to all military spouses - regardless of sexual orientation - as soon as possible. That is now the law, and it is the right thing to do.

"Every person who serves our nation in uniform stepped forward with courage and commitment. All that matters is their patriotism, their willingness to serve their country and their qualifications to do so. Today's ruling helps ensure that all men and women who serve this country can be treated fairly and equally, with the full dignity and respect they so richly deserve." - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, via press release.

Quote Of The Day - Sen. Ted Cruz

"I am thankful for the support of my colleagues in passing amendments that are important to the State of Texas and the entire country, prioritizing the needs of our servicemen and women who daily sacrifice their lives to promote and defend our nation’s freedom. As this legislation is debated before the full Senate, I will work to ensure these measures are prioritized and included in final legislation." - Tea Party hero Sen. Ted Cruz, whose defense spending amendment to allow Christian troops to harass gay soldiers passed 19-7 in the Senate Armed Services Committee. A similar amendment sponsored by Rep. John Fleming passed last week in a House committee.  President Obama has threatened to veto the bill. Hate group leader Tony Perkins yesterday issued a press release claiming credit for Cruz' amendment.

Rep. John Fleming Defends Amendment To Allow Harassment Of Gay Troops

"President Obama is continuing his war on free speech. With the IRS trying to intimidate and silence conservative groups, and the Justice Department digging into the phone records of reporters, it’s no surprise that the president also wants to deny First Amendment rights to our Armed Forces. With its statement, the White House is now endorsing military reprimands of members who keep a Bible on their desk or express a religious belief. That is an outrageous position, but it’s what I’ve come to expect from an administration that is aggressively hostile toward religious beliefs that it deems to be politically incorrect.

"My amendment protects, for our men and women in uniform, a principle enshrined in our Constitution and cherished since our Founding Fathers: the free exercise of one’s religious beliefs, including expressions of one’s belief. It has bipartisan support and takes into account the unique context of military service, accommodating the beliefs of our service members, while not jeopardizing military necessity. We need to protect the free speech of the brave warriors who fight to safeguard our liberties, and I hope Congress will reject this blatant White House attack on religious freedom." - Rep. John Fleming (R-LA) reacting to President Obama's criticism of his defense appropriations amendment that prohibits punishing soldiers who abuse gay troops. (Via Washington Blade)

DOD Pride Month Memo

(Via JMG reader Eloise)

Pentagon Pride Flyer

Source.  (Tipped by JMG reader Elise)

Senate Confirms Hagel

It was a mere formality once the filibuster ended earlier today.

The Senate confirmed former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel (R) as the next U.S. Secretary of Defense on Tuesday, ending a long and contentious nomination process marked by an unprecedented GOP filibuster of a presidential cabinet level nominee. The final vote tally was 58 in favor, 41 opposed.

All of the opposed were Republicans.

Senate Busts Hagel Filibuster

Minutes ago the Senate voted to end the filibuster of Chuck Hagel's nomination for Secretary of Defense, clearing the way for a formal vote on his confirmation.

The vote was 71-27 to end debate and send the nomination to the Senate for a full vote, which is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. Hagel's confirmation seems virtually assured, as Democrats control the Senate and none has said publicly they oppose him. Hagel, if approved, will succeed Leon Panetta and immediately inherit a budget crisis. Last week, the Pentagon announced that it plans to furlough the majority of its 800,000 civilian employees to help meet a $46 billion shortfall caused by automatic spending cuts that begin March 1 and its stop-gap budget that prevents shifting funds to urgent needs.

Sen. John McCain was among the Republicans who reversed their earlier votes. And so ends another transparent and failed GOP attempt to block President Obama on any issue.  Stand by for Log Cabin's whiny press release.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta Extends Some Rights To Gay Military Families

Outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta today extended some privileges to gay members of the military and their families. Among the benefits to be offered are military ID cards for spouses, joint duty assignments, and access to support programs for military families. Via press release from Panetta's office:

Seventeen months ago, the United States military ended the policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." We have implemented the repeal of that policy and made clear that discrimination based on sexual orientation has no place in the Department of Defense.  At the time of repeal, I committed to reviewing benefits that had not previously been available to same-sex partners based on existing law and policy. It is a matter of fundamental equity that we provide similar benefits to all of those men and women in uniform who serve their country. The department already provides a group of benefits that are member-designated. Today, I am pleased to announce that after a thorough and deliberate review, the department will extend additional benefits to same-sex partners of service members.

Reactions are below and I'll add more as they come in.

OutServe-SLDN

Though Panetta’s announcement did not include a number of important items that could have been granted - including burial rights at national cemeteries and some overseas travel for spouses, which remain under consideration - [OutServe-SDLN head Allyson] Robinson called the package “substantive” and acknowledged that the Pentagon has done almost as much as it can with the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) still on the books. “Secretary Panetta’s decision today answers the call President Obama issued in his inaugural address to complete our nation's journey toward equality, acknowledging the equal service and equal sacrifice of our gay and lesbian service members and their families. We thank him for getting us a few steps closer to full equality - steps that will substantively improve the quality of life of gay and lesbian military families,” said Robinson.

Human Rights Campaign

Today, the Pentagon took a historic step forward toward righting the wrong of inequality in our armed forces, but there is still more work to be done. Gay and lesbian service members and their families make sacrifices every day, and this country owes them every measure of support we can provide. Since the repeal of ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell,’ the Obama administration has shown true leadership on this issue. But even today, the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act makes inequality for gay and lesbian military families a legal requirement. It's time to right this wrong. When the Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of DOMA in the coming weeks, they should take note of the real harm this law inflicts every day.

Freedom To Marry

Today's announcement by the Pentagon that it will provide same-sex spouses of active service members some of the limited protections it can, within the discriminatory constraints imposed by the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, is a positive step that will help families and align with the military’s goals of treating service members fairly, while at the same time underscoring just how great a burden DOMA imposes on families and employers. All members of our armed forces provide the same service, make the same sacrifices, and take the same risks to protect our country – and the military, like many employers – would like to treat its people equally. But DOMA’s gay exception means that the federal government, including the Pentagon, may not provide family protections to families or even respect married couples as married, if they are gay.