POLITICS: DADT Repeal or No, Military Discharges Drop Off

Despite the continued reign of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the military has lately been discharging far fewer people under the rule, the Los Angeles Times reports. Thanks largely to changes in enforcement under President Obama, the number of discharges has fallen off this year after a continuous decline since 2002. Not one service member has been discharged under DADT since the administration announced the changes.

The shift in enforcement now requires top Pentagon civilian officials’ approval before the removal of military personnel under the law. “There's a signal being sent by that requirement that the Defense Department just doesn't want to deal with discharges,” says an analyst. Meanwhile, commanders may be keeping removals to a minimum amid two wars. Still, the decline could be reversed under a new administration, which could change the rules.