I Stand With Lt. Dan Choi, It's Time To Repeal DADT

I Stand With Lt. Dan Choi, It's Time To Repeal DADT

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
U.S. Senator from New York
Posted: June 18, 2009 11:09 AM



Last week, I had the honor of meeting a proud graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, NY - Lt. Dan Choi. Lt. Choi came to my office to meet me and discuss how we right the wrong that has occurred in his life and ensure others do not experience the same injustice.

In 2003, Lt. Dan Choi graduated from West Point with a degree in Arabic. Since graduating, Lt. Choi has served honorably in the 1st Bn., 69th Infantry of the New York Army National Guard, including a deployment in Iraq. Now, it appears his service may come to an end simply because he has publicly said these three words: "I am gay."

Lt. Dan Choi is not alone. Since 1994 when the law was implemented, approximately 13,000 able, knowledgeable, well-trained soldiers have been discharged from the US military for being gay. 800 of those discharged soldiers were -- like Lt. Choi -- experts in mission critical disciplines.

Don't Ask Don't Tell (DADT) comes with a severe financial burden as well. Estimates of the cost of implementing Don't Ask Don't Tell from 1994-2003 -- including recruitment, re-training and separation travel costs -- have ranged from almost $200 million to $363 million. This is millions of dollars that could have been...and should have been...spent on crucial personnel and equipment for our military.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-kirsten-gillibrand/i-stand-with-lt-dan-choi_b_217364.html

And thanks Lt. Choi!!!

Kind of pokes a big fat hole in the DOMA brief that said overturning DOMA would be a financial burden on the feds.

Hey, here's an idea:

Overturn DADT and with all the millions saved by doing so it will offset any financial losses the gov faces by overturning DOMA.

Duh!