Navy Trains Up Sailors on End of 'Don't Ask'

The Navy has come up with a 90-minute training program made up of a PowerPoint presentation and eight pages of “Frequently Asked Questions” to bring down the curtain on the don’t ask, don’t tell program that barred gays from serving openly in the military. The program for enlisted personnel focuses on a number of areas including that the military’s code of conduct will apply without regard to sexual orientation and that those not following the new rules can be involuntarily removed from the service, The Washington Post reports.

Among the 24 slides in the PowerPoint presentation is one that notes sailors cannot be discharged for opposing the repeal of don’t ask, don’t tell. Information on foreign deployments will now include background on local laws on homosexual behavior, said the Post, which received a copy of the presentation from sources.

While the Defense of Marriage Act prohibits the Navy from providing relocation benefits for same-sex partners, a sailor can request emergency leave to care for a critically ill partner. According to one of the documents, “the sexual orientation of the Sailor's partner has no bearing on the decision," the Post reported.

Servicemembers Legal Defense Networks’ Aubrey Sarvis said the Army, Air Force and Marines are using similar slides and training methods in their programs. Navy officials tell the Post that training on the change in policy should be completed June 30.