Bush Blames Gays for Involuntary Marine Recall

Gay Discharges Mount As Bush Orders Troop Recall


August 23, 2006 - 1:00 pm ET

(Washington) As the number of gays discharged from the military under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" continues to increase in record numbers President Bush has ordered thousands of Marine Corps troops back to active duty in the first involuntary recall since the early days of the Iraq war.

No more than 2,500 Marines will be recalled at any one time, the Associated Press reports, but there is no cap on the total number who may be forced back into service in the coming years as the military helps fight the war on terror. The call-ups will begin in the next few months.

The Corps has been unable to meet its recruitment levels and has a current shortfall of about 1,200 people.

Yet, the number of gays and lesbians being discharged under DADT has increased for the first time since 2001 according to a report issued in May. (story)

The report, released by the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, showed that two LGBT servicemembers were being discharged daily under DADT.

Since the ban on gays serving openly was implemented more than 11,000 men and women have been dismissed under "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" according to the Government Accountability Office.

According to the GAO more than 800 of those had skills deemed ‘critical’ by the Department of Defense, including linguistic training, medical skills and expertise in combat engineering.

This is the first time the Marines have had to use the involuntary recall since the beginning of the Iraq combat. The Army, meanwhile, has issued orders recalling about 10,000 soldiers so far, but many of those may be granted exemptions.

"If President Bush is truly interested in boosting the manpower of our services, he should immediately endorse repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’” said C. Dixon Osburn, executive director of SLDN.

"Our closest allies in Iraq and Afghanistan already benefit from welcoming openly gay troops, and we should as well. Today’s news is yet another compelling reason for Congress to lift the ban."

The UK which has troops in Iraq and Canada which has sent military to Afghanistan both admit gay and lesbians into their armed forces.

"Every day, the Marine Corps loses good men and women because of this law, and every day, others choose not to re-enlist because they are officially unwelcome in the services," said former Marine Sergeant and Iraq war veteran Brian Fricke.

"The readiness of our armed forces should be our primary concern, not the bias and prejudice that keeps ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ in place. Every American benefits when every qualified American who wants to serve is given the opportunity to do so."

A Congressional bill to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is now supported by 119 bi-partisan Members of Congress.

[link to www.365gay.com]