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(Washington) As the number of gays
discharged from the military under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" continues
to increase in record numbers President Bush has ordered thousands of Marine
Corps troops back to active duty in the first involuntary recall since the early
days of the Iraq war.
No more than 2,500 Marines will be recalled at
any one time, the Associated Press reports, but there is no cap on the total
number who may be forced back into service in the coming years as the military
helps fight the war on terror. The call-ups will begin in the next few months.
The Corps has been unable to meet its recruitment
levels and has a current shortfall of about 1,200 people.
Yet, the number of gays and lesbians being
discharged under DADT has increased for the first time since 2001 according to a
report issued in May. (story)
The report, released by the Servicemembers Legal
Defense Network, showed that two LGBT servicemembers were being discharged daily
under DADT.
Since the ban on gays serving openly was
implemented more than 11,000 men and women have been dismissed under "Don’t
Ask, Don’t Tell" according to the Government Accountability Office.
According to the GAO more than 800 of those had
skills deemed ‘critical’ by the Department of Defense, including linguistic
training, medical skills and expertise in combat engineering.
This is the first time the Marines have had to
use the involuntary recall since the beginning of the Iraq combat. The Army,
meanwhile, has issued orders recalling about 10,000 soldiers so far, but many of
those may be granted exemptions.
"If President Bush is truly interested in
boosting the manpower of our services, he should immediately endorse repeal of
‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’” said C. Dixon Osburn, executive director of
SLDN.
"Our closest allies in Iraq and Afghanistan
already benefit from welcoming openly gay troops, and we should as well.
Today’s news is yet another compelling reason for Congress to lift the
ban."
The UK which has troops in Iraq and Canada which
has sent military to Afghanistan both admit gay and lesbians into their armed
forces.
"Every day, the Marine
Corps loses good men and women because of this law, and every day, others choose
not to re-enlist because they are officially unwelcome in the services,"
said former Marine Sergeant and Iraq war veteran Brian Fricke.
"The readiness of our
armed forces should be our primary concern, not the bias and prejudice that
keeps ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ in place. Every American benefits
when every qualified American who wants to serve is given the opportunity to do
so."
A Congressional bill to repeal
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is now supported by 119 bi-partisan Members of
Congress.
©365Gay.com 2006
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