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Don't Ask, Don't Tell Resources

DOD is committed to ensuring that all LGBTQ+ veterans discharged for their sexual orientation are aware of the process to request a correction to their military record.
Source: Defense.gov
 

DOD is committed to ensuring that all LGBTQ+ veterans discharged for their sexual orientation are aware of the process to request a correction to their military record.

"America's greatest national-security asset is the brave and qualified patriots who step up to form our all-volunteer force. Brave LGBTQ+ Americans have long volunteered to serve the country that they love. Some of these troops were administratively separated from military service under the now-repealed "Don’t Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Under President Biden's leadership, the Department of Defense has taken extraordinary steps to redress the harms done by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and other policies on these former Service members.

Just over a year ago, I announced that the Department would, for the first time, begin to proactively review the military records of former Service members discharged during "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" because of their sexual orientation who might have been eligible for upgrades to the characterization of their discharge or changes to their reason for separation but had not yet applied.

After a year of exceptional work, the Military Department Review Boards directed relief in 96.8% of the 851 cases that they proactively reviewed. What this means is that of the nearly 13,500 individuals who were administratively separated under Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, and served long enough to receive a merit-based characterization of service, 96% now have an honorable discharge.

We will continue to honor the service and the sacrifice of all our troops—including the brave Americans who raised their hands to serve but were turned away because of whom they love. We will continue to strive to do right by every American patriot who has honorably served their country."
 

~Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Oct. 15, 2024
 

Summary

On Sept. 20, 2011, after Congress repealed the law known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the Department of Defense implemented policy allowing its courageous gay, lesbian and bisexual service members to serve the country they love without hiding who they love and paving the way for the inclusion of all LGBTQ+ troops in our military.

Though the majority of service members discharged for their sexual orientation during DADT were honorably separated, nearly 2,000 were separated under less than fully honorable conditions.

DOD's Proactive Review of Military Records for Those Affected by DADT Policy

Last September, on the 12th anniversary of the repeal of DADT, the Department announced it would proactively review the records of eligible Service members administratively separated for their sexual orientation during DADT with a less than fully honorable discharge characterization. The review of these records is now complete, and the Department has submitted corrected records to the National Archives and mailed letters advising impacted individuals how to obtain a copy of their new discharge certificate.

Results of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Records Review Initiative

 
  Cases Considered Cases Granted Relief Relief % Granted
Air Force 90 84 93.3%
Army 243 236 97.1%
Marine Corps 269 258 95.9%
Navy 249 246 98.8%
Department of Defense Total 851 824 96.8%
 
  • Since the repeal of DADT policy in 2012, the Military Department Review Boards have overwhelmingly granted relief to former service members separated under DADT policy who requested it – over 85% of applications historically were at least partially granted.
  • By focusing efforts on former service members who met specific eligibility criteria, the Review Boards were able to grant even higher rates of relief to former service members as part of the DRRI – 96% of all cases considered.
  • Combined with previous efforts of the Military Department Review Boards, this means that among the former service members who were separated under DADT policy and served long enough to receive a merit-based characterization of service, over 96% now have an honorable discharge.

Benefits Information

Comparison Table

*This chart summarizes how the Department of Veterans Affairs considers character of discharge in the administration of various benefit programs.

*Even with a less than honorable discharge, veterans may be able to access some VA benefits. We encourage all veterans to apply and allow VA to make an eligibility determination.

*A "veteran" for VA purposes is an individual who has:

  • qualifying military service (type and length of service), and
  • a discharge or release under conditions other than dishonorable

 

*Certain benefits have length of service and other specific requirements in addition to the character of discharge.

Recognizing the repeal of DADT may be a relevant factor when evaluating requests for service record corrections by former service members, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Clifford L. Stanley, issued a policy memorandum providing guidance to the Military Department Review Boards when reviewing applications to correct the records of individuals discharged under DADT, or a similar policy in place prior to DADT.

The Stanley Memorandum instructs the Military Department Review Boards to normally grant requests to change a narrative reason for discharge, a characterization of discharge, and re-entry codes for former service members under the following conditions:

  1. The original discharge was based solely on DADT or a similar policy in place prior to the enactment of DADT;
  2. There are no aggravating factors in the record, such as misconduct.

The Stanley Memorandum also provides that the repeal of DADT should be considered a sufficient basis to support reconsideration of such requests for applicants who have previously filed with either their Military Department Discharge Review Board (DRB) or Board for Correction of Military/Naval Records (BCM/NR).

Discharged Within the Last 15 Years

Service members who were discharged for their sexual orientation within the last 15 years can apply to their military department's discharge review board. Select below for additional information or to apply:

Air/Space Force Seal Air Force/Space Force
Army Seal Army
Navy/USMC Seal Navy/USMC

Discharged More Than 15 Years Ago

Service members who were discharged for their sexual orientation more than 15 years ago can apply to their military department's board for correction of military/naval records. Select below for additional information or to apply:

Air/Space Force Seal Air Force/Space Force
Army Seal Army
Navy/USMC Seal Navy/USMC

FAQs for Veterans Seeking Information About Seeking a Discharge Upgrade

Separation Data for Personnel Separated Under the 'Homosexual Conduct' Policy

  Pre-DADT
1980-1993		 DADT
1994-2011		 Total
Honorable 11,597 7,045 18,642
General (Under Honorable Conditions) 5,192 1,169 6,361
UO/OTH* 1,193 406 1,599
Uncharacterized/ Entry-Level 975 4,426 5,401
Unknown/ Not Applicable** 408 426 834
Total 19,365 13,472 32,837

Service Review Boards Results Data

(Current as of March 2023)

Army Seal Army Review Board DADT-Related Case Data

  Discharge Review Board Board for Correction of Military Records Total
Total Applications Received 135 335 470
Total Applications Relief Granted 124 308 432
Total Applications Request Denied 11 27 38
Percentage Granted 91.85% 91.94% 91.91%
Percentage Denied 8.15% 8.05% 8.09%
 

* This represents DADT-related cases received by the Army Review Boards between October 2011 to March 2023.

** This figure includes all cases where any form of relief was granted, but not necessarily all relief requested by the applicant.

Navy Seal Navy Review Board DADT-Related Case Data

  Discharge Review Board Board for Correction of Naval Records Total
Total Applications Received 133 677 810
Total Applications Relief Granted 110 517 627
Total Applications Request Denied 23 160 183
Percentage Granted 82.71% 76.36% 77.40%
Percentage Denied 17.29% 23.63% 22.59%
 

* This represents DADT-related cases received by the Naval Discharge Review Board from 2011 to March 2023 and by the Board for Correction of Naval Records from 2013 to March 2023.

** This figure includes all cases where any form of relief was granted, but not necessarily all relief requested by the applicant.

Marines Seal USMC Review Board DADT-Related Case Data

  Discharge Review Board Board for Correction of Naval Records Total
Total Applications Received 82 179 261
Total Applications Relief Granted 69 145 214
Total Applications Request Denied 13 34 47
Percentage Granted 84.15% 81% 81.99%
Percentage Denied 15.85% 19% 18.01%
 

* This represents DADT-related cases received by the Navy Review Boards between 2013 and March 2023.

** This figure includes all cases where any form of relief was granted, but not necessarily all relief requested by the applicant.

Air Force Seal Air Force Review Board DADT-Related Case Data

  Discharge Review Board Board for Correction of Air Force Records Total
Total Applications Received 13 129 142
Total Applications Relief Granted 13 120 133
Total Applications Request Denied 0 9 9
Percentage Granted 100% 93% 96.5%
Percentage Denied 0% 2% 2%
 

AF DRB and BCMR numbers are based on AFRBA data and reflect cases where DADT applied. Punitive discharges and applications where the member incorrectly indicated DADT were not included.

* This represents DADT-related cases received by the Air Force Review Boards between Fiscal Year 2015 and March 2023.

** The numbers in this table are based on the Air Force Review Board Agency data that reflect cases where DADT applied. Punitive discharges and applications where the member incorrectly indicated DADT were not included.

*** This figure includes all cases where any form of relief was granted, but not necessarily all relief requested by the applicant.