No Reprimand For General Fighting Repeal of DADT

Lt. General Benjamin Mixon will not be fired for speaking out against repeal of US Military "Don't Ask,  Don't Tell"  policy 

 A high-ranking Army general  has learned that he will not be fired or formally reprimanded after urging troops to lobby against the repeal of a ban on openly gay military service.

Because US President Barack Obama supports repealing the ban on gays in the military,  the General's active fight against repeal could be considered an act of insubordination.  Obama has called for a year-long review of the policy enacted under former President Bill Clinton.  

But the three-star general has learned that he will not receive any letter of reprimand,  nor will his position be in jeoparady.  

John McHugh, US Army Secretary  told press today that Mixon has been told that what he did was inappropriate. McHugh says he considers the matter to be closed.

Earlier this month,  in part of a backlash against the movement for repeal,  US Marines General James Conway had said that if DADT is repealed,  troops should not have to bunk with homosexuals.    

Before that, former NATO Commander John Sheehan had publicly blamed gays in the military for the Dutch army's failure in 1995 with Bosnian Serb forces.  

In February when US Department of Defense Secretary Robert Gates had called for a repeal review of DADT,  the San Francisco Chronicle had predicted a backlash.  

Mixon called on Troops,  Wrote Editors of Paper

Mixon, of Fort Shafter, Hawaii,  had called on troops and their families to contact their superiors and representatives to say that they did not support repeal of the 17 year old policy which bans gays from serving openly in the US military forces. 

 In addition,  Mixon had written  a letter to the editor of Stars and Stripes newspaper saying he didn’t believe that most military personnel would support repeal.   

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, both said Mixon’s comments were inappropriate. McHugh said he agreed and that Army chief of staff, General George Casey, had counseled Mixon to this effect.

Mixon now “recognizes the difficulties in appearing to become an advocate in trying to shape the opinion of the force rather than ascertain” its view on the issue, McHugh said.

Source: businessweek.com

Mixon is head of Army forces in the Pacific theater. He had urged troops to 'speak up' and urge political leaders not to repeal the ban.

Source: washingtonpost.com