http://cptv.vo.llnwd.net/o2/ypmwebcontent/Lucy/LN%20111004%20DADT%20chaplains-1.mp3
It's been two weeks since the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell and its effect on other military policies is starting to trickle out. WNPR's Lucy Nalpathanchil has more
One change after the repeal is that military chaplains now have permission to perform same sex marriages and civil unions on or off a military installation.
But Major General Gary Patton, who led the repeal implementation for the Department of Defense, says there are certain requirements chaplains must follow.
"The private ceremony first off must be in keeping with their tenets of religion and faith and the various faith groups differ in their positions on this, so that's number one. Second is that the private ceremony must not be prohibited by state and local law and that's really the extent of the policy."
Same sex marriage is legal in Connecticut so the chaplain at Naval Submarine Base New London could now perform a ceremony on or off the base. Chief James O'Donnell with the Public Affairs Office says there haven't been any requests yet.
Major General Patton calls the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, a significant milestone for the military and says implementation has gone smoothly. He's also cognizant that this may not always be the case.
"Implementation is not going to be without incidents and issues. But its leaders that anticipate those issues, that are actively monitoring their commands, that are out there being proactive with information, checking on their troops. And then being aggressive and exercising leadership in dealing with whatever those issues are that might surface at the unit level."
Patton says the repeal team at the Pentagon is still studying ways to offer certain benefits to same sex couples that other military families receive. As of now, a large number of military benefits are restricted to spouses as defined in the federal Defense of Marriage Act or DOMA.
