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Military benefits for same sex couples for flv

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Jeff Criss
Jeff Criss

The document discusses the history and structure of the Department of Defense and the military's culture and mission. It then outlines the history of the policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" regarding gay service members, hearings on its repeal, and a survey of military members that found most would not be affected by openly gay members. In 2011, President Obama directed the Secretary of Defense to extend military benefits to same-sex partners of service members, which occurred shortly after the repeal of DADT and before the Supreme Court ruling on DOMA. However, some argue the change was not thoroughly considered or approved by Congress and was too soon after the DADT repeal.

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Military Benefits for Same-Sex Couples Jeff Criss Walden University Dr. April Adams Organizations, Innovation & Change EDUC 6105
Purpose • The purpose of this presentation is to examine a change process that took place permitting the extension of military benefits to same-sex couples.
History of the Department of Defense (DOD) • Traces its roots back to our Nation’s infancy • Established Army, Navy, and Marine Corps in 1775 • Consists of an all- volunteer force
Mission • Provide the military forces needed to deter war and protect the U.S.(“Organizations and Functions”, 2012) • Support and defend the Constitution • Use war to attain a political objective • Promote and spread democracy
DOD Structure Navy Major Commands President of the United States Secretary of Defense Department of the Army Secretary of the Army Department of the Navy Secretary of the Navy Commandant of Marine Corps Department of the Air Force Secretary of the Air Force Chief of Staff Army Chief of Naval Operations Chief of Staff Air Force Army Major Commands Air Force Major Commands Marine Corp Major Commands
Culture • Found in the revolutionary spirit which brought life to a new Nation • Steeped in customs and courtesies • Common elements include a high standard of discipline that helps organize and structure the armed forces (Bateman, 2011)
Background • In 1993, President William J. Clinton issued a directive preventing gay service members from being questioned about their sexual orientation • This policy became known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT)” • Gay service members were permitted to serve in the armed forces provided they did not reveal their sexual orientation • This policy remained in effect for 17 years.
DADT • In Feb 2010, the Senate Armed Services Committee began hearings concerning the repeal of DADT • The DOD was charged with developing a survey for service members seeking input
DADT Hearings
Results • Of the 400,000 survey members polled, 27% responded • 60% responded saying openly gay members would have no impact on mission effectiveness • The issue of DADT repeal was never addressed in the survey
DADT Hearings
Repeal of DADT • In Dec 2010, the House and Senate voted to repeal DADT • This change repealed a 17 year standing policy • President Obama elected to use the democratic process as opposed to executive action
Extension of Benefits • President Obama directed Secretary Leon Panetta to issue a memorandum extending 42 benefits to domestic partners of military members
Extension of Benefits • Change occurred 17 months after the repeal of a 17 year policy • Accomplished through executive action • No congressional hearing or study
Rationale for Change • Discrimination has no place in the military • Ensure fairness and equal treatment to all service members and their families • Benefits are allowable under current law (Panetta, personal communication, 2013)
Sample Benefits • Benefits Include: – Dependent ID cards – Commissary privileges – Emergency Leave – Child Care – Beneficiary Status – Legal Assistance • Benefits not Included: – Medical Insurance – Housing Privileges
Change Analysis • Change was revolutionary (Beach, 2006) • President sought no input • Change was political – DADT was repealed just prior to President Obama’s re-election – Extension of benefits granted after beginning of second term – Change was put in place just prior to the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
Change Effectiveness • Created a new form of discrimination • Aimed at approximately 2% of military members • Thrust upon the military • Viewed as a social experiment
Recommendations • Process should have included congressional and DOD approval • More time should have elapsed to embrace the DADT repeal • Members who oppose the change should be permitted to voluntarily separate from the DOD
References Bateman, G.W. (2011). Military Culture: United States. GLBTQ Social Sciences, 1-6. Beach, L. (2006). Leadership and the art of change. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. Farkas, M.(Producer).(2010, February 15). Don’t ask, don’t tell policy on gays in the military. Washington, D.C: Cable- Satellite Public Affairs Network. Organizational and management planning. (2012). Retrieved from http.www.odam.defense.gov

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Military benefits for same sex couples for flv

  • 1. Military Benefits for Same-Sex Couples Jeff Criss Walden University Dr. April Adams Organizations, Innovation & Change EDUC 6105
  • 2. Purpose • The purpose of this presentation is to examine a change process that took place permitting the extension of military benefits to same-sex couples.
  • 3. History of the Department of Defense (DOD) • Traces its roots back to our Nation’s infancy • Established Army, Navy, and Marine Corps in 1775 • Consists of an all- volunteer force
  • 4. Mission • Provide the military forces needed to deter war and protect the U.S.(“Organizations and Functions”, 2012) • Support and defend the Constitution • Use war to attain a political objective • Promote and spread democracy
  • 5. DOD Structure Navy Major Commands President of the United States Secretary of Defense Department of the Army Secretary of the Army Department of the Navy Secretary of the Navy Commandant of Marine Corps Department of the Air Force Secretary of the Air Force Chief of Staff Army Chief of Naval Operations Chief of Staff Air Force Army Major Commands Air Force Major Commands Marine Corp Major Commands
  • 6. Culture • Found in the revolutionary spirit which brought life to a new Nation • Steeped in customs and courtesies • Common elements include a high standard of discipline that helps organize and structure the armed forces (Bateman, 2011)
  • 7. Background • In 1993, President William J. Clinton issued a directive preventing gay service members from being questioned about their sexual orientation • This policy became known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT)” • Gay service members were permitted to serve in the armed forces provided they did not reveal their sexual orientation • This policy remained in effect for 17 years.
  • 8. DADT • In Feb 2010, the Senate Armed Services Committee began hearings concerning the repeal of DADT • The DOD was charged with developing a survey for service members seeking input
  • 10. Results • Of the 400,000 survey members polled, 27% responded • 60% responded saying openly gay members would have no impact on mission effectiveness • The issue of DADT repeal was never addressed in the survey
  • 12. Repeal of DADT • In Dec 2010, the House and Senate voted to repeal DADT • This change repealed a 17 year standing policy • President Obama elected to use the democratic process as opposed to executive action
  • 13. Extension of Benefits • President Obama directed Secretary Leon Panetta to issue a memorandum extending 42 benefits to domestic partners of military members
  • 14. Extension of Benefits • Change occurred 17 months after the repeal of a 17 year policy • Accomplished through executive action • No congressional hearing or study
  • 15. Rationale for Change • Discrimination has no place in the military • Ensure fairness and equal treatment to all service members and their families • Benefits are allowable under current law (Panetta, personal communication, 2013)
  • 16. Sample Benefits • Benefits Include: – Dependent ID cards – Commissary privileges – Emergency Leave – Child Care – Beneficiary Status – Legal Assistance • Benefits not Included: – Medical Insurance – Housing Privileges
  • 17. Change Analysis • Change was revolutionary (Beach, 2006) • President sought no input • Change was political – DADT was repealed just prior to President Obama’s re-election – Extension of benefits granted after beginning of second term – Change was put in place just prior to the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
  • 18. Change Effectiveness • Created a new form of discrimination • Aimed at approximately 2% of military members • Thrust upon the military • Viewed as a social experiment
  • 19. Recommendations • Process should have included congressional and DOD approval • More time should have elapsed to embrace the DADT repeal • Members who oppose the change should be permitted to voluntarily separate from the DOD
  • 20. References Bateman, G.W. (2011). Military Culture: United States. GLBTQ Social Sciences, 1-6. Beach, L. (2006). Leadership and the art of change. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. Farkas, M.(Producer).(2010, February 15). Don’t ask, don’t tell policy on gays in the military. Washington, D.C: Cable- Satellite Public Affairs Network. Organizational and management planning. (2012). Retrieved from http.www.odam.defense.gov