Less-Than-Honorable Vestige of the Past

Commemorating the fifth anniversary of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Undersecretary of Defense Peter Levine urged gay veterans who received less-than-honorable discharges due to their sexual orientation to apply for a reevaluation.

“I know that some service members may have been given less-than-honorable discharges solely on the basis of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and its precursor laws and policies,” Secy. Levine said. “ ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is a vestige of our past, and I encourage you to honor the fifth anniversary of the Department’s implementation of its repeal by coming forward to request correction.”

Levine said “the United States military should be open to all who can meet our rigorous standards, and all who serve, or have served, should be treated with dignity and respect.” He guaranteed a fair and effective process for those seeking to revise a document or upgrade a discharge.

“Thank you,” Levine concluded his September 20 letter, “to that unique and remarkable portion of our population that risks all to serve in challenging times, past and present—and to the families that have supported them.”