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Panetta to Certify DADT Repeal

New defense chief to start 60-day repeal countdown

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 22, 2011 3:32 AM CDT | Updated Jul 22, 2011 7:50 AM CDT

(Newser) – Defense Secretary Leon Panetta will sign the death warrant for "Don't Ask Don't Tell" soon after he is officially sworn in today, according to Pentagon sources. Panetta and other defense chiefs will certify that the military is ready to ax the policy barring gays from serving openly, starting a 60-day process that will make DADT history by the end of September, the Washington Post reports.

Most service members have now been trained on repeal of the policy and former Defense Secretary Robert Gates told AP that officials were "mildly and pleasantly surprised at the lack of pushback in the training." A federal court in California has already blocked the military from penalizing or discharging openly gay service members.

Leon Panetta will be officially sworn in as defense secretary today. (Getty Images)

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TIII

Jul 23, 2011 9:53 AM CDT

Who cares WHO is f*ck*ng WHO while not on patrol? !!?!! I DON'T!~~~ My deal is as long as they protect TRUE FRIGHTENED little mini boys without a backbone like me, I want them to have sex with whoever they want. I WILL NOT JUDGE who they make love with, love, are in love with etc. Homo, les, str8, abstinent, masturbators... I do not care, as it is NONE of MY (or your) business. Do your job well and you may stay in my US military. We may love who we want to partly because of things the military has done for our country. I wish them to be able to have use of this right and love who they love and still protect us. For the record, I am straight. DADT should have been called "Lets focus on the job we were hired for, people!"

Ned_Flaherty

Jul 22, 2011 9:24 PM CDT

• 14,317 people were discharged under DADT (November 1993 - July 2011). • 78,000 bisexuals, lesbians, and gays are serving in the U.S. military today. • Millions served successfully through the 20th and 21st centuries. • 41 other nations also allow open military service, regardless of sexual orientation.

anothernewsjunkie

Jul 22, 2011 7:00 AM CDT

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Panetta to Certify DADT Repeal

New defense chief to start 60-day repeal countdown

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

gay rights • Don't Ask, Don't Tell • US military • gays in the military • Leon Panetta • Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal

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