DADT Repeal Will NOT Cause Troop Exodus”: Top Marine Flip Flops
Melanie Nathan
A Pentagon survey of troops released in November before Congress approved the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, revealed that of all the armed services, the Marines held the most negative views about lifting the ban. More than four out of 10 said serving with openly gay Marines would negatively affect their work; 58 percent of those in combat arms units voiced opposition.
The Marine Corps commandant general Amos who once said openly gay and lesbian service members would be a dangerous “distraction” and was among themost outspoken opponents of repealing the military’s“don’t ask, don’t tell” policy said today he does not expect to lose troops over the change.
What makes us think that the initial stance was political pandering? Well who cares DADT is done!
But now this dramatic flip flop / cartwheel “before the ink could dry” on the law which was emphasized in avideo Gen. Amos taped. In it, he said the service “will step out smartly to faithfully implement this new law. It’s important that we value the diversity of background, culture and skills that all Marines bring to the service of our nation.”
“”I haven’t had any indication yet at all, not at all,” Gen. James Amos told reporters when asked if he expected themass exodus of troops that Sen. John McCain and other critics predicted if the ban was lifted, reports Andrea Stone, “Senior Washington Correspondent, AOL News.
Nothing like taking orders with a smile! But why o why did we have the resistance in the first place?
“It would be naive to think that somewhere down the road there’s not going to be issues,” Amos told reporters. “I think there probably will be in probably all the services, but I don’t think it’s going to be of any magnitude that’s going to cause much more than a blip. So I’m very optimistic.” Reports Stone.
Amos said training of military lawyers, counselors and chaplains began Feb. 7. He said he and the service’s three-star generals and their spouses underwent a training session recently in New Orleans, and he expects all leaders down to company commanders and platoon sergeants to have been briefed by the middle of next month.
The Air Force, Navy and Army also have begun training in preparation for the policy’s demise sometime later this year.
Earlier this week, Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey said the military’s largest service would need until mid-July to finish training the active duty force of 565,000 and until mid-August to brief the 567,000 Guard and Reserve members.
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