820 Gay Veterans Receive Honorable Discharge Upgrades
news release from the Defense Department.Even though the majority of service members were honorably discharged, nearly 2,000 received less than fully honorable discharges.After “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was repealed by Congress, those less than honorably discharged under it were eligible to appeal for an upgrade with the Military Department Review Boards.
About 85% received some form of relief, but others affected by the change were unaware they could request to have their discharge status upgraded.Last year, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks initiated a proactive review of LGBTQ veterans who were dismissed under the policy but had not yet applied for an upgrade.As a result, veterans who were separated from the Armed Services under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will have their discharge papers — known as a DD-214 — changed to “honorable” without having to go through a formal process of applying for a discharge upgrade.Those members who receive upgrades will be eligible for benefits that they had previously been denied due to their discharge status, including health care benefits, college tuition assistance, VA loan programs, and even some employment opportunities.The Department of Defense is sending information to those having their status upgraded on how to obtain copies of their new certification.
