R 120013Z FEB 13

ALCOAST 055/13
COMDTNOTE 1000
SUBJ: EXTENSION OF SELECTED BENEFITS TO SAME SEX PARTNERS
1. On 22 December 2010, the President signed legislation to repeal 10
United States Code, Section 654, the law commonly referred to as Dont
Ask, Dont Tell (DADT).  Coast Guardsmen have implemented the repeal
with great professionalism, demonstrating respect for all shipmates.
2. Following repeal, the Coast Guard joined the Department of Defense
in conducting a comprehensive review of benefits not previously
available to same-sex partners.  The benefits were examined from a
policy, fiscal, legal and feasibility perspective.
3.  There are currently 20 member-designated benefits that are
already available to a person of the service members choosing.  The
list can be found in the Secretary of Defenses Memorandum for
Secretaries of the Military Departments at:
http://www.defense.gov/news/Same-SexBenefitsMemo.pdf
4.  After thorough and deliberate review, today the Department of
Defense extended 22 additional benefits to same-sex partners of
service members. Extending these benefits is within the
administrative discretion of the Secretary of Defense, and is
consistent with current law, including the Defense of Marriage Act.
These benefits include eligibility for commissary and exchange
privileges, morale, welfare and recreation programs, child care,
dependent identification cards, Space-A travel on military aircraft,
and legal assistance. The complete list can also be found at the link
in para 3.
5.  Today Secretary Napolitano directed the Coast Guard to maintain
parity with the other military services by extending these same 22
additional benefits to same-sex partners of Coast Guard military
members.
6.  The Coast Guard is prepared to begin implementation of the policy
changes and will continue to work closely with the DoD military
services.  Benefits will be extended as the policies, processes and
training are completed.  Implementation could take several months, as
some benefits require development of new or updated policies and
processes.
7.  The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and current benefit laws do
not allow the Departments of Defense or Homeland Security to extend
some benefits to same-sex domestic partners of service members,
including medical, dental and with-dependent rate Basic Allowance for
Housing.  These benefits remain actively under review by the
Departments.
8. Each of us is entitled to work in a respectful and professional
environment, consistent with our core values. Our mission success
depends on these core principles. As I noted in Shipmates 3, our
shipmates deserve respect and we must let our people know that they
will be treated fairly.  The extension of these benefits to same-sex
partners of our Coast Guard military members reflects our commitment
to promoting equality and reassures our Coast Guard members and their
families that they are valued and respected.
9. ADM Bob Papp, Commandant sends.
10. Internet release authorized.