WASHINGTON (AP) — The Defense Department last year dismissed the fewest number of service members for violating its "don’t ask, don’t tell policy" than it had in more than a decade.
The 2009 figure, a sharp decline from the previous year, comes from President Barack Obama’s first year in office. He opposes the policy but has done little to reverse it.
The lower number continues a trend since 2001 in which fewer troops have been dismissed as the services struggle to fight two wars.
According to figures released by the Pentagon on Monday, 428 service members in 2009 were fired for being openly gay compared to 619 in 2008. In 1997, 997 service members were dismissed.
Overall, more than 10,900 troops have been fired under the policy.
By ANNE FLAHERTY
Associated Press Writer
