MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- As of Sept. 1, 2013, married same-sex couples rate Department of Defense marriage benefits.
The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which did not allow homosexuals in the military to serve openly, was repealed in February and the Defense of Marriage Act, which stated marriage was only identified as a union between a man and a women, was rescinded in June.
“In the event that the Defense of Marriage Act is no longer applicable to the Department of Defense, it will be the policy of the department to construe the words ‘spouse’ and ‘marriage’ without regard to sexual orientation and married
couples, irrespective of sexual orientation, and their dependents, will be granted full military benefits,” said Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta during a Feb. 11 announcement of policy change.
The Marine Corps released Marine Administrative Message 432/13 on Aug. 30 to define the new benefits that are in effect for same-sex spouses within the DoD.
“I already know of six people who got married after this MARADMIN was released,” said Cpl. Diana Venegas, motor transportation operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 3, and a 20-year-old native of Greenwich, Conn. “I know many people (who) have been waiting for years to get this passed.”
The MARADMIN explains, in detail, specific changes the Secretary of Defense has approved for military members who can receive marriage benefits post nuptials.
Same-sex couples must get married in a state that recognizes same-sex marriage in order for the DoD to distribute benefits. The definition of "marriage" and "spouse" has officially changed to include a spouse of the same-sex within the systems that determine benefits.
“It’s sad to see two heterosexual people getting ‘married’ just to take advantage of the benefits,” Venegas said. “Everyone has the right to equality and those kind of people ruin everything we have fought for.”
The Marine Corps released MARADMIN 483/13 on Sept. 20, noting how same-sex couples would obtain administrative absence to get married.
Not every state allows for same-sex marriages. An allotted amount of administrative absence is provided to same-sex couples for travel to a state which allows same-sex marriages.
Couples only become eligible for the administrative absence if they aren’t in a state, or within 100 miles of a state, in which they can legally marry, according to DoD order 1327.06, “Leave and Liberty Policy and Procedure,” modified Aug. 13.
“Allowing people to travel to get marriage helps tremendously,” Venegas said. “A couple I know had to travel all the way to Massachusetts to get married.”
Eligible couples stationed inside the United States can receive up to seven days of administrative absence. Those eligible members outside of the United States can receive up to 10 days of administrative absence. Travel days are included in the allotted amount of administrative absence.
Panetta told military leaders they must adapt to changing policies and practices to ensure fairness and equal treatment and to take care of all of U.S. service members and their families, to the extent allowable under law.
Further requirements and rules can be found on Marines.mil. All MARADMINS are located there and list the various circumstances that apply to same-sex marriages.