By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-914623.mp3
Albany, NY – As a Republican gay rights group challenges the military's "Don't ask don't tell" policy, Gay Activist and former soldier Dan Choi is finally discharged from NY National Guard. Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.
Army Lieutenant Dan Choi became the symbol of gay and lesbian service members discharged under the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy when he came out publicly in a 2009 cable TV interview -- A letter notifying Choi of honorable discharge was delivered to his parents' house in Tustin at the end of June. A spokesman for the National Guard says Choi was notified several times by cell phone and email about his pending discharge, but those contacts were never acknowledged. Choi didn't get word of the discharge from the New York Army National Guard until Thursday, when his commander called to give him the news: his admission that he was gay violated army regulations Choi did his first stint in Iraq in 2003, and became a platoon leader in the National Guard in 2008. Choi criticized Defense Secretary Robert Gates for only relaxing enforcement of the policy rather than unilaterally ceasing enforcement. Gates says military personell should "stay informed" while Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Michael Mullen says he believes soldiers can adapt to change in policy. Choi says he'll reenlist if the Pentagon repeals "Don't ask don't tell." The House included a repeal of "don't ask" in its version of the annual defense spending bill and the Senate is expected to do the same later this year.