(CNN) - The Pentagon will permit members of the military to travel to wed same-sex partners if the community or state where they are based does not permit it, a key element of a new benefits policy unveiled Wednesday.
The Defense Department announced its intention to extended health, housing and other benefits to same-sex spouses of uniformed military personnel and defense civilian employees.
That follows a presidential directive to act swiftly in complying with changes brought about by a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
The military said it would make spousal and family benefits available no later than September 3, "regardless of sexual orientation" so long as a valid marriage certificate is provided.
"The Department of Defense remains committed to ensuring that all men and women who serve in the U.S. military, and their families, are treated fairly and equally as the law directs," the Pentagon said in a statement.
Claims are retroactive to the Supreme Court's decision on June 26 to throw out key parts of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as that between a man and a woman and outlawed federal benefits for same-sex couples.
A centerpiece of the new policy would grant administrative leave to military personnel to travel to wed if where they are based does not permit same-sex marriage.
"This will provide accelerated access to the full range of benefits offered to married military couples throughout the department, and help level the playing field between opposite-sex and same-sex couples seeking to be married," the statement said.
Following the high court decision, President Barack Obama ordered that federal agencies act swiftly to implement related changes.
Same-sex marriage is legal in 13 states and the District of Columbia.
New Jersey and New Mexico have no laws either banning or allowing same-sex marriage.
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As long as they can shoot their weapon true, down range at the enemy, and take whatever jokes comes their way, then it's all good. What? The Army is going to get rid of a majority because of too many EO complaints?
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I thought we couldn't afford what we were already spending? sequester? More benefits? I guess we found some money somewhere!
Trolls. Too many Trolls.
Specifically Missy. LOL get out from behind your keyboard and go stand in line with the bible huggers and the inbred filth. I pronounce you Troll of the week. lmaooo.
Really? The only people doing any "forcing" are the gay wing nuts demanding everyone tolerate them talking about who and how they like to expose their depravity, in public. It's so ghetto. People with no class; it's like the kids in high school who didn't get invited to any party EVER because everyone knew they'd be their obnoxious selves. You folks are just still mad that no one wants you around. No one should KNOW that you're gay. But your insistence on talking about who you screw is a very pathetic display of insecurity & no self worth.
I don't think I've heard anything so ignorant in my life.
let me break it down to you slowly. What has a person who feels that he or she likes the same gender ever done to yo duck ass? nothingggggg! you know why? because us "gays" can smell ignorant ass people like you from miles away. listen son..just keep yo opinions in yo grave for me, huh!
"gays" can smell ignorant ass people like you from miles away" Hmm, interesting, I never realized that being gay came with superior sensory perception.
And not Polygamy? What bigots and haters they all are.
No, not polygamy. Just equality. How sad that you equate the two.
a peg and a peg dont go together EVER!!!!
Duh! But that decision is NEVER up to you to decide. It is up to them. Grow Up!
Doesn't matter what YOU think though, now does it? You're NOBODY. (By the way – try getting a clue?)
I know a lesbian couple who are both named Peg and they go together just fine!
Well it seems like our Precious America is quickly becoming the new Sodom and Gomorrah and they were distroyed because of their wickedness. Just saying look at all of the similarities between them and us now.
HAHAHA, You believe in kids stories. How cute.
Hey Anon? Better a Sodom and Gomorrah than a judgmental, narrow-minded, prejudiced, evangelical bible tent.
I'll take judgmental every day of the week. The Bible is the only religious text used by archaeologists that accurately locates important historical digs. You clearly haven't been paying attention to the screeches from the left at the absolute hubris of these archaeologists recently saying THAT THE BIBLE IS CLEARLY AN ACCURATE TEXT. Again; I'LL TAKE JUDGMENTAL BIGOT ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. But judgment day will be my favorite.
the world lausghs at our sinful ways
Who says they are "sins"? You? Your precious Jesus? GOD!!!!!!
Stop forcing your beliefs on others who do not share it.
No "ron – the world laughs at close minded-people like you.
Gross
Yes, hate is gross.
It's very disturbing to see all of the insecure people out there. I truly hope you do not act this way in front of your children. Open your mind and see how wonderful life truly is!
I am pretty sure there are many things that you do or enjoy watching that I would think is disgusting.
What's next a little rainbow added to the American Flag ?????
OH Grow Up Keith!
Well said
Sure, why not. they added a fairy tale character to our Pledge and on our money. And as our motto. So, a rainbow on the flag seems fitting.
Or, we could just put your pic on it – that would cause people to double up with laughter........
In the meanwhile the military is cutting benefits for wounded warriors and veterans.
Benefits to all couples should be cut off and the funding given to wounded warriors and veterans.
I think you're confused over what the term "benefits" means in this instance. The "benefits" that married servicemembers get is the ability to live with their spouse in a house as opposed to being forced to live in the barracks, medical coverage for their family members just like in most civilian jobs, ID card access for family members onto military installations, the right to shop in military exchanges (department store) and commisaries (grocery store).
You also make a strange contrast between "veterans" and "couples". Do you think that a servicemember who has deployed to combat should be able to give the above listed priveleges to his/her spouse? Do you think that the spouse of a servicemember who has spent 12 or more months with their loved one overseas, trying to avoid watching the constant news stories of casualties, should not be allowed to buy gas for their car on a military base? I'm also curious how you would classify my wife and I – we are both servicemembers, and have both deployed to combat. Do you think we should get benefits, or are we only a couple?
Not sure why anyone agrees with gay marriage, calling it a 'right', when it's unnatural. When your son or daughter are really young you prohibit them from touching the hot stove or eating too much candy....and yeah they cry because in their minds they want their way. It's no different with these people, except they like to call it 'equal rights' to get what they want. Next you're going to see pedophiles jump up and demand rights, people involved in incest will want rights...and the liberals will just keep giving them what they want because they don't have balls to say no to anyone...they just think you should do whatever makes you happy...even if it kills you at the end.
Nic,
You are one of the most ignorant, moronic person I have come across...I gues you were completely against interacial marriage as well...Who says that marriage between a man and a woman is appropriate...The Bible??? Give me a break...You do realize that the pedophile comment you make applies directly to all the priests that are moslesting young children as we speak...So much for your moral Bible and its followers...You forgot the other talking point about marriage between animals and humans is next...Thankfully, your kind is slowly dying off and will soon be extinct...Time to return to the Klan meeting...
Amazing how your little brain doesn't see a difference between two consenting adults who love each other and want to marry and illegal relationships where there is no consent in acts like pedophilia and incest. Were you born that way or did you catch it off a toilet seat?
Contact lenses and polyester are unnatural but I don't see you clutching your pearls over that. America is a free country. Just like you have the right to be an ignorant fruitloop, every American should have the right to marry whomever they chose. The idea that an otherwise sane and intelligent person could support our government trying to legislate morality is unthinkable. Shame on you.
I don't think I've ever seen such ignorance in my life. Unreal.
I have long said that our military is a "free proving ground" for medical and social experimentation. All those anthrax shots and others we received. Removing all of our metal dental fillings because they could be injurious. Removing Playboy magazines from the PX shelves. But we had no choice. So, I guess now we all have to put up with the Gays.
Oh Well. At least I no longer wear the uniform.
Get over yourself!
It is amazing how you are quick to bash anyone not following your ways. You are the type of person that gives any group a bad rep.. Its time to "GET OVER YOURSELF" and let Consenting free thinking adults make their statements.... Oh ya and A01 Thank you for your service
You don't have to like it...but this is how things are now....so deal with it.
Exactly! Move to Russia if you don't like it. You'll be right at home.
SecDef Hagel and the DoD have done the right thing, The key concept reported in the Los Angeles Times article this morning is that from now on all married service members and their families will be treated the same, regardless of the genders involved.
There should only be one issue relating to the Secretary of Defense order and that is the non-charged leave. Can anyone justify this part of his order. Please don't talk about anything else. I support the remainder of his order. I would like to hear from the Gay military group.
Times are changing. The kids born in the 1970,s and 1980,s. majority don't really care. My dads generation baby boomers. Would have a huge problem with this – The kids born in 1990,s and moving forward care about the environment rather than who gets married. As time takes the baby boomers. A shift in how U.S majority votes and thinks will occur in the future -
Nah. The Baby Boom generation is pretty down with this. It's more the Baby Boomer's parents, I think, who have problems with equality, people in their 70s and 80s.
Well, there you have it. The federal government will now have to acknowledge gay marriage. Though I do not agree with it, at least the path is paved for this saga to come to a close.
Disgusting.
Shame on you Obamamama! "Asking you to give me EQUAL RIGHTS implies they are yours to give. Instead I must demand that you stop trying to deny me the rights that all people deserve". Adapt and overcome and move on!
It is in the Code of Military Justice that officers are not allowed to fraternize with non commissioned officers. What happens when a male Captain and a male private want to marry, let alone a male Captain and a female private ??
Ummmm that happens still to this day between male and female (straight) personnel!!
What is disgusting? Your opinion? or the fact that you seem to think what you think is right is the only thing that is right?
Bravo Obama!
Gay soldiers certainly waited in line a long time to get their rights.
Once again its not equal. I had to use my annual leave to get married. Why should these people be granted special leave and not me. Their not special their just gay. Now they get more leave than I do because their gay. hmmmmmm Me thinks I'll start my grievance paperwork in the morning asking for my leave back that I used to get married. Mine should be free too.
Because you could get married in any state you chose – Gay people are forced to go to a state where Gay marriage is allowed. This law recognized an existing inequality and balances it. If all states permitted Gay marriage there would be no need for this policy.
Bingo
Once again, a foolish comment about marriage equality. It’s not equal because you can use your annual leave to get married in ALL states, and a gay couple can only get married in ‘some’ states. If you want to be granted special leave, then you should be supporting a law that says straights can get married only in the ‘same’ states that gays can get married, and that straights will not be allowed to be married in all states. So which do you want: the ability to get married in all states, or only some states . . . . . . The fix for this problem would be for the federal gov’t to allow marriage equality for straights AND gays in ALL states.
Good.
I agree with this article. "All men are created equal and endowed with unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". At first I felt strange seeing pictures of married gay couples. But that was because I was not used to it. Our society has changed and I need to change with it. The brains of straight couples are different than gay couples. It is basic biology. Several years ago we did not know this.
When was a brain difference proven? Will hand size matter next? For those men and women who are married to each other I'm ashamed your brains are different.
The science of hand size proves women with third finger (ring) longer than first finger are (nose picker) gay. So, another great example of biology driving this issue. Science will never mislead us.
Such a beautiful, honest answer, Ann.