Marine Corps Times cover cameo on NBC Nightly News
September 21st, 2011 | Don't Ask Don't Tell | Posted by Tony Lombardo
The cover of Marine Corps Times made an appearance on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams last night as part of their coverage of the end of “don’t ask don’t tell,” the policy that banned gays from serving openly in the military.
Pentagon correspondent Jim Miklaszewski concluded his coverage by holding up a copy of our Sept. 19 issue and saying, “…Brian, this headline in the latest Marine Corps Times says it all. ‘We’re gay, get over it.’” Watch the full NBC report here.
Our cover treatment – for a story featuring several gay Marines and their take on the repeal — has garnered a lot of discussion. Some love it, some hate it. What do you think?
Behind the Cover: We’re gay. Get over it.
September 13th, 2011 | Behind the Cover Don't Ask Don't Tell | Posted by Tony Lombardo
On Sept. 20, the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy banning gays from serving openly will be stripped from the military’s rulebook. For gay Marines, official repeal will be a historic day, comparable to the moment 63 years ago when President Truman ordered the services to end racial segregation.
For straight Marines, this will bring changes, too. “That’s gay” — a pervasive phrase used throughout the Corps to express dislike for almost anything — will no longer be tolerated. Equal treatment will be a must. And yes, some gay Marines will bring dates to the Marine Corps Birthday Ball in November.
With the end of “don’t ask” just days away, this week’s cover story includes the stories of several gay Marines who wanted to share their views on repeal and the future of the Marine Corps. Gay Marines interviewed for the story include:
– A corporal in the infantry, based at Camp Pendleton, Calif.
– A major at Quantico, Va.
– An infantry officer and company commander at Pendleton.
– A former enlisted Marine now enrolled at the Naval Academy
– And a field grade officer in California
Hear what they have to say about the end of “don’t ask,” don’t tell” in this week’s edition of Marine Corps Times, on newsstands now. Or, subscribe here.
CMC, Sgt. Maj. address ‘don’t ask’ repeal
January 29th, 2011 | Don't Ask Don't Tell Leadership The CMC The Sgt. Major of the Marine Corps | Posted by Andrew deGrandpre
Late Friday, Headquarters Marine Corps released the following three-minute video featuring Commandant Gen. Jim Amos and his top enlisted adviser, Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent, discussing the imminent repeal of the “don’t ask don’t tell” policy, which since the 1990s has prohibited military service by men and women who are openly homosexual.
The pair explain that the service has established an operational planning team that’s working with the Defense Department “to determine the best way forward.” They do not specify any forthcoming changes or indicate what the timetable is for implementation.
However, both lean heavily on leaders throughout the ranks — “from junior Marines to the most senior,” Kent says — to spread word that as the law is changed, Marines must “continue to treat one another with dignity and respect.”
“As always,” Kent says, “engaged leadership will be the key to implementation.”