DOD benefits for Same Sex couples

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http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics ... its/62008/

Here Are The Benefits Same-Sex Military Couples Will Finally Receive
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J.K. Trotter 156 Views 12:52 PM ET

Even as outgoing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta continues to push the Supreme Court to open up more rights, the Pentagon has officially begun extending certain benefits to same-sex military families, according to a memorandum released today by the White House. The memo follows last week's announcement from Panetta that the military would grant as many privileges as it could without violating the Defense of Marriage Act, whose constitutionality will be challenged toward the end of March.

Unfortunately, the two most important benefits — subsidized health care (TRICARE) and housing allowances — were not included. In the memo, Panetta blames DOMA:

In the event that the Defense of Marriage Act is no longer applicable to the Department of Defense, it will be the policy of the Department to construe the Words “spouse” and “marriage” without regard to sexual orientation, and married couples, irrespective of sexual orientation, and their dependents, will be granted full military benefits.

Panetta's oblique message to the Supreme Court continues what he said in announcing the move last week:

"While it will not change during my tenure as secretary of defense, I foresee a time when the law will allow the department to grant full benefits to service members and their dependents, irrespective of sexual orientation."

That said, the memo helpfully lists the benefits that same-sex military spouses or domestic partners are entitled to immediately. (Previously, it was unclear which benefits would make the cut, given the provisions of DOMA, which prohibits federal recognition of same-sex marriages.) Those benefits are:

Service Members Group Life Insurance Beneficiary
Post Vietnam-Era Veterans Assistance Program Beneficiary
A11-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program - Active Duty Death Benefit; Death Gratuity Beneficiary
Final Settlement of Accounts Beneficiary
Wounded Warrior Designated Caregiver
Thrift Savings Plan Beneficiary
Survivor Beneñt Plan Beneficiary for Retirees
Casualty Notification
Escorts for Dependents of Deceased or Missing Members - Eligibility to be an Escort
Designation of Persons Having Interest in Status of a Missing Member
Veterans’ Group Life Insurance Beneficiary
Person Eligible to Receive Effects of Deceased Persons

Travel and Transportation Allowance: Attendance at Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Events

Travel and Transportation Allowance: Transportation of Designated Individuals Incident to Hospitalization of Members for Treatment of Wounds, Illness, Injury;

Designation of Persons Authorized to Direct Disposition of Remains of Members of the Armed Forces

Presentation of the Flag ofthe United States

Transportation for Survivors of Deceased Member to Attend the Member’s Burial Ceremony or Memorial Service
Hospital Visitation Privileges
Membership in Family Readiness Groups

The memo also states that the following benefits will be extended to same-sex couples no later than October 2013:

Dependent ID cards, Which Will be Renewed in Accordance with Existing Policies
Commissary Privileges
Exchange Privileges
Morale, Welfare and Recreation Programs
Surveys of Military Families
Quadrennial Quality of Life Review
Emergency Leave
Emergency Leave of Absence
Youth Sponsorship Program
Youth Programs
Family Center Programs
Sexual Assault Counseling Program
Joint Duty Assignments
Exemption from Hostile-Fire Areas
Transportation to and from Certain Places of Employment and on Military Installations
Transportation to and from Primary and Secondary School for Minor Dependents
Authority of Service Secretary to Transport Remains of a Dependent
Disability and Death Compensation: Dependents of Members Held as Captives
Payments to Missing Persons
Space-Available Travel on DOD Aircraft
Child Care
Legal Assistance

Here's the full memo:

Well, aside from TRICARE and health allowances, and that's only due to DOMA, this is the military showing how to get things done.

[Broomstick]

And, gods willing, in March DoMA will be thrown out as well....

[Lonestar]

Well, aside from TRICARE and health allowances, and that's only due to DOMA, this is the military showing how to get things done.

Housing allowance, not health allowance.


The US Military is filled with junior enlisted who get into "contract marriages" in order to move out of the barracks and get BAH. I wouldn't be surprised if the higher-ups fight that until the last, specifically for that reason. The housing allowance system has serious problems with people gaming it. This appears to be at the top of the minds of at least one mostly-military board I frequent:

I don't think anyone ITT is actually advocating denying gay couples the same rights as straight couples (except for OP, who r-u-n-n-o-f-t a long time ago).

The point where I (and possibly others) disagree with you is on the aspect where you think it will not be abused. I have already put forth that gay couples will abuse the system at least just as much as straight couples. And if you really think all Marines are smart and mature enough to NOT pretend to be gay for monetary benefit... well, then I wonder what Corps you served in because it doesn't sound like the one I was in.

I'm against wasting more money, plain and simple. I support eliminating the incentive to marry for everyone. I don't care if you're gay or straight- the system is fucked and hobbitses abuse it at taxpayer expense.

The system is fucked and it wastes tax payer money but it also RUINS Warriors. Every single guy I knew who got a 'contract' marrige for the extra $$$ ended up regreting it. One guy lost half his savings in a messy divorce, another guy ended up turning to drugs, and another one had to deal with the fallout of attaching himself to a crazy when she tried to kill herself.

Again, I'm not against extending equal benefits to same sex partners. For instance, medical, dental, life insurance, the whole 9 yards... homos can get married and be miserable for the rest of their lives like straight folk for all I care. I DGAF. Have fun.

I just think we need to get rid of BAH/BAS to get rid of the biggest cause of contract marriages.

Save the money and also cut down on how many service hobbitses's lives are ruined by completely doomed and unnecessary marriages. Not just the contract ones, but the ones by naive 18 year old boots who think marrying their 18/17y year old BF/GF is a great idea cuz they are "really truly" in love, and hell, it just makes perfect sense since the military gives you extra money and a house instead of the barracks.