Office of the Staff Judge Advocate

1
Office of the Staff Judge Advocate

• FORCES COMMANDCOMMANDERS CONFERENCE

26 Jan 00
2
Homosexual Conduct Policy

• LAW, DIRECTIVE,
• AND REGULATION

3
Title 10 United States CodeSection 654(b)THE LAW

• Policy - A member of the armed forces shall be
  separated from the armed forces under regulations
  prescribed by the Secretary of Defense if one or
  more of the following findings is made and
  approved in accordance with procedures set forth
  in such regulations
• That the member has engaged in, attempted to
  engage in, or solicited another to engage in a
  homosexual act or acts
• That the member has stated that he or she is a
  homosexual or bisexual, or words to that effect
• That the member has married or attempted to marry
  a person known to be of the same biological sex

4
Title 10 United States CodeSection 654(d)

• Required Briefings - The briefings that members
  of the armed forces receive upon entry into the
  armed forces and periodically thereafter under
  section 937 of this title (article 137 of the
  Uniform Code of Military Justice) shall include a
  detailed explanation of the applicable laws and
  regulations governing sexual conduct by members
  of the armed forces, including the policies
  prescribed under subsection (b) (Emphasis
  supplied)

5
DOD Directive 1332.14Guidelines for Fact-Finding
Inquiries into Homosexual Conduct

• Only the members commander is authorized to
  initiate fact-finding inquiries involving
  homosexual conduct.
• A commander may initiate a fact finding inquiry
  only when he or she has received credible
  information that there is a basis for discharge
• Credible information exists when the information,
  considering its source and the surrounding
  circumstances, supports a reasonable belief that
  there is a basis for discharge

6
DOD Directive 1332.14Credible Information

• Credible information does not exist, for example,
  when
• The individual is suspected of engaging in
  homosexual conduct, but there is not credible
  information, as described, to support that
  suspicion or
• The only information is the opinions of others
  that a member is homosexual or
• The inquiry would be based on rumor, suspicion,
  or capricious claims concerning a members sexual
  orientation or
• The only information known is an associated
  activity such as going to a gay bar, possessing
  or reading homosexual publications, associating
  with known homosexuals, or marching in a gay
  rights rally in civilian clothes. Such activity,
  in and of itself, does not provide evidence of
  homosexual conduct.

7
USD Memorandum, 12 Aug 99Guidelines for
Investigating Threats Against or Harassment of
Service Members Based on Alleged Homosexuality

• The fact that a service member reports being
  threatened or harassed because he or she is said
  or is perceived to be a homosexual shall not by
  itself constitute credible information justifying
  the initiation of an investigation of the
  threatened or harassed service member

8
DOD Directive 1332.14Credible Information

• Credible information exists, for example, when
• A reliable person states that he or she observed
  or heard a Service member engaging in homosexual
  acts, or saying that he or she is a homosexual or
  bisexual or is married to a member of the same
  sex or
• A reliable person states that he or she heard,
  observed, or discovered a member make a spoken or
  written statement that a reasonable person would
  believe was intended to convey the fact that he
  or she engages in, attempts to engage in, or has
  a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual
  acts or

9
DOD Directive 1332.14Credible Information

• Credible information exists, for example, when
• A reliable person person states that he or she
  observed behavior that amounts to a non-verbal
  statement by a member that he or she is a
  homosexual or bisexual i.e., behavior that a
  reasonable person would believe was intended to
  convey the statement that the member engages in,
  attempts to engage in, or has a propensity or
  intent to engage in homosexual acts

10
AR 600-20, 15 July 99Army Command Policy

• Investigation policy. Investigations or
  inquiries will not be initiated solely to
  determine whether a member is a heterosexual,
  homosexual, or bisexual. There must be credible
  information that a basis for disciplinary action
  or discharge exists

11
DOD Directive 1332.14The Rebuttable Presumption

• A statement by a Service member that he or she is
  a homosexual or bisexual, or words to that
  effect, creates a rebuttable presumption that the
  Service member engages in, attempts to engage in,
  has a propensity to engage in, or intends to
  engage in homosexual acts. The Service member
  shall be advised of this presumption and given
  the opportunity to rebut the presumption by
  presenting evidence demonstrating that he or she
  does not engage in, attempt to engage in, have a
  propensity to engage in, or intend to engage in
  homosexual acts.

12
DOD Directive 1332.14The Rebuttable Presumption

• In determining whether a member has successfully
  rebutted the presumption that he or she engages
  in, attempts to engage in, or has a propensity or
  intent to engage in homosexual acts, some or all
  of the following may be considered
• Whether the member has engaged in homosexual acts
• The members credibility
• Testimony from others about the members past
  conduct, character, and credibility
• The nature and circumstances of the members
  statement
• Any other evidence relevant to whether the member
  is likely to engage in homosexual acts
• This list is not exhaustive any other relevant
  evidence may also be considered

13
Title 10 United States CodeSection 654(e)

• Rule of Construction - Nothing in subsection (b)
  shall be construed to require that a member of
  the armed forces be processed for separation from
  the armed forces when a determination is made in
  accordance with regulations prescribed by the
  Secretary of Defense that -
• (1) the member engaged in conduct or made
  statements for the purpose of avoiding or
  terminating military service and
• (2) separation of the member would not be in the
  best interest of the armed forces

14
DCSPER MessageHomosexual Conduct Policy

• Verbal admission of homosexuality may be grounds
  for discharge. Commanders must, however,
  determine whether admissions are credible
• In most cases of homosexual admission, no
  investigation is required
• In instances where the commander feels that the
  admission may not be credible, an inquiry may be
  appropriate

15
DCSPER MessageHomosexual Conduct Policy

• The initiation of any substantial investigation
  into whether an admission of homosexuality was
  made for the purpose of seeking separation from
  the Army and/or whether recoupment of financial
  benefits is warranted must be approved at the
  Army Secretariat level
• A substantial investigation is defined as one
  that extends beyond questioning the member,
  individuals suggested by the member for
  interview, and the members immediate supervisory
  chain of command

16
USD Memorandum, 12 Aug 99Recoupment of Education
Assistance Funds, Bonuses and Special Pay from
Persons Disenrolled or Separated on the Basis of
Homosexual Conduct

• Homosexual conduct constitutes a basis for
  recoupment under such provisions if a
  characterization of Under Other Than Honorable
  Conditions is authorized or the conduct is
  punishable under the Uniform Code of Military
  Justice (provisions governing sexual conduct)

17
DOD Directive 1332.14Procedures

• Informal fact-finding inquiries and
  administrative separation procedures are the
  preferred method of addressing homosexual conduct
• Commanders or appointed inquiry officials shall
  not ask, and members shall not be required to
  reveal, whether a member is a heterosexual, a
  homosexual, or a bisexual. However, upon receipt
  of credible information of homosexual conduct,
  commanders or appointed inquiry officials may ask
  members if they engaged in such conduct. But the
  member should first be advised of the DoD policy
  on homosexual conduct (and rights under Article
  31, UCMJ, if applicable)

18
USD Memorandum, 12 Aug 99Implementation of
Recommendations Concerning Homosexual Conduct
Policy

• Installation level staff judge advocates consult
  with senior legal officers at higher headquarters
  prior to the initiation of an investigation into
  alleged homosexual conduct
• The responsibility to determine when credible
  information exists - i.e., to determine whether
  the information reported supports a reasonable
  belief that a service member has engaged in
  homosexual conduct, such that an investigation is
  appropriate - remains with commanders

19
CGs Guidance

• Commanders to be personally involved in training
• Training addresses all aspects of the policy
• Training completed NLT 1 March 2000
• Weekly training status report to DCSPIM