Regarding The Hoya’s 1/25/11 article “‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Repeal’s Effect on ROTC Limited,” I think it is important to note that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) has not yet completely gone away since its December repeal.

Though Congress finally passed a bill to repeal this 17-year-old law, which barred military service by openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members,  “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” currently remains on the books. Service members, including Georgetown ROTC cadets, will not be able to be open about their sexual orientation until after the certification process and a subsequent 60-day implementation period. In the meantime, discharges are still possible under DADT. Students who might have legal questions/concerns can access resources through organizations such as Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) and others.

Certainly, the passage of the DADT repeal bill is momentous, since it marks the end of a discriminatory system that was in place for nearly two decades. We are all excited about passage of the DADT repeal bill, and the era of open service is expected to be soon in coming, but let’s make sure our Hoya cadets stay safe in the meantime. Hopefully, soon there will indeed be more intermingling between the ROTC and LGBTQ groups at Georgetown, as a cadet’s mere membership in GU Pride would not raise suspicions that could get the cadet discharged.

Shruti Dusaj (SFS ’11)