Soldiers Learn Rules of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal

Fort Bragg soldiers are taking 90-minute training sessions as sanctioned by the Army to comply with the new law outlined by the Pentagon on the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'

The training consists of a 30-page PowerPoint presentation that deals with how the appeal will work with a focus on, "leadership, professionalism, discipline and respect." The training stresses that its purpose is "NOT to change beliefs."

Under the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), the new policy:

• Enforces standards of conduct and laws
• Prohibits harassment, sexual assault, or other violence
• Punishes sexual misconduct of any soldier

The training points out that under the policy, sexual orientation is:

• A personal and private matter
• NOT a bar to military service
• NOT a basis for discharge

The training includes the Army's "zero tolerance for harassment, violence or discrimination."

The Army set out to train its 565,000 active-duty troops by mid-July and 567,000 members of the Guard and Reserve by mid-August.

Patch talked with 20 service members outside the Starbucks on Fort Bragg at the Mini-Mall last week. Of those 20, not one thought the training was a big deal. The soldiers said it reflected what would normally be expected of them and thought the slides contained common sense information.