MARINE CORP TIMES: PENTAGON BLASTED FOR RECRUITING FELONS BUT NOT GAYS

DoD blasted for recruiting felons, not gays
By Andrew Tilghman - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Apr 22, 2008 14:45:10 EDT
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/04/marine_dontask_042208/

Advocates for homosexuals in the military are criticizing the Pentagon for accepting hundreds of felons — including at least 350 into the Marine Corps — while continuing to prohibit gays and lesbians under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.

The criticism comes after yesterday’s release of statistics showing a sharp increase in the number of waivers granted for recruits with felony convictions. Between fiscal years 2006 and 2007, the number of felony waivers granted for Marine Corps active-duty recruits jumped by nearly 75 percent, from 208 to 350, Department of Defense data shows.

“This data shines a bright light on the outrageousness and absurdity of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’” said Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of the military watchdog group Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, in a written statement. “On the one hand, the Pentagon is discharging highly-qualified, honest, law-abiding men and women because they are gay, while on the other hand granting waivers to rapists, killers, kidnappers and terrorists. Granting waivers for child molesters and rapists to serve while discharging lesbians and gays is utter madness.”

SLDN is a national nonprofit organization that advocates for allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military and provides legal help for troops affected by the policy.