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Soldiers to Receive Training on Homosexual Conduct 'No Room for Harassment or Threats to Any Soldier' |
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Compiled By GayToday
Nevertheless, the memorandum appears to be a well-meaning document, though filled with timid, half-way steps toward equality for gay servicemembers who, the Armed Forces reminds itself in this memo, deserve the same dignity accorded to non-gay soldiers. R 121248Z JAN 00 FM HQDA Washington D.C. UNCLAS Subject: Homosexual Conduct Policy 1. Reference: Secretary of the Army and Chief of Staff, Army Message Dated 101800Z Jan 00, Subject: Dignity and Respect for All 2. This message provides the Army's guidance on the implementation of the August 12, 1999 Office of the Secretary of Defense Additional Guidance on the Homosexual Conduct Policy in the Armed Forces. 3. The Secretary and the Chief of Staff affirm that treating soldiers with dignity and respect is a bedrock value for the Army. We declare that there is no room for harassment or threats to any soldier in our Army for any reason. Therefore, as the senior leaders of the Army we are determined to continue to implement the DOD Homosexual Conduct Policy with equity and fairness to all of our soldiers. 4. The essential elements of the Department of Defense Policy regarding homosexual conduct are based on Title 10, United States Code, and are unchanged. However, in order to protect fully the rights of all personnel, the following additional guidance is provided.
D. The Army Judge Advocate General has been tasked to create procedures for installation-level staff judge advocates to use when consulting with senior level officers on cases involving homosexual conduct. E. Verbal admission of homosexuality may be grounds for discharge. Commanders must, however, determine whether admissions are credible. In most cases of homosexual admission, no investigation is required. However, in instances where the commander feels that the admission may not be credible, And inquiry may be appropriate and will be conducted pursuant to AT 600-20. The initiation of any substantial investigation into whether an admission of homosexuality was made for the purpose of seeking separation from the Army and/or whether recoupment of financial benefits is warranted must be approved at the Army Secretariat level. A "Substantial Investigation" is defined as one that extends beyond questioning the member, individuals suggested by the member for interview, and the member's Immediate supervisory chain of command. The Secretary has designated the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (ASA M&RA) as the approval authority for initiation of substatial investigations. Requests for approval will be forwarded through command channels to the ASA (M&RA). No further action will be taken, including processing the soldier for discharge, until either permission for initiating the investigation is denied or permission is granted and the investigation is concluded. F. All applicable Army regulations will be revised as quickly as possible to reflect this guidance. The Deputy Chiefs of Staff for operations and personnel will work to revise AR 350-1 and mandate annual training on the Homosexual Conduct Policy. 5. Finally, in our Army we expect that all soldiers will be treated with dignity and respect at all times, and will be afforded a safe and secure environment in which to live and work. Harassment of soldiers for any reason, to include perceived sexual orientation, will not be tolerated. We expect commanders at every level to take appropriate action to prevent harassment of or threats against any member of our Army. Once again we are determined to continue to implement the DOD Homosexual Conduct Policy with fairness to all because that is the right thing to do for our soldiers. BT |
