Since the Supreme Court overturned a portion of the Defense of Marriage Act, many outlets have run news stories about homosexuals obtaining military benefits, some published by the military itself.

The US Army made a point of publishing a press release highlighting that “Same-sex spouses of Soldiers now receiving benefits.”  It also reiterated the controversial “gay leave” policy:

Soldiers assigned to duty stations within the continental United States will be afforded up to seven days of non-chargeable leave to travel to a state where marriage is legal, while those outside the United States may receive up to 10 day of leave.

Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Ok)  took the Department of Defense to task for this “benefit” granted by the military that one has to be homosexual to receive.  The DoD responded by changing the name to “administrative absence.”  Inhofe was not pleased:

Not only does the Secretary fail to disclose his authority to create this administrative leave benefit but it still violates their own expressed policy…that they will ‘treat all military personnel equally.’

An Air Force Airman is currently a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the military over benefits.  Despite the benefits now being granted, he had planned to maintain the suit until the VA likewise started granting benefits.

A few National Guard units — which generally fall under State, not Federal, law — have refused to grant military benefits to homosexuals in their states.  Given that their state Constitutions do not recognize homosexual relationships as a marriage, the situation is perhaps predictable.

The Air Force publicized the first “join spouse” assignment for a homosexual couple, with the DoD officially “announcing” the assignments — something it would probably otherwise argue violates the privacy of those involved.  “Join spouse” is the military’s attempt to station two (married) active duty members at the same location.

It seems the repeal of DADT was a newsworthy “non-event.”

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