American Forces Press Service –
WASHINGTON – All eligible service members, dependents and retirees — including same-sex couples — are now able to obtain Defense Department identification cards in every state, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced Friday.
On Oct. 31, Hagel called on the chief of the National Guard Bureau to work with the adjutants general of several states to fully implement Defense Department policy by providing DOD ID cards to all eligible military spouses, regardless of sexual orientation.
“All military spouses and families sacrifice on behalf of our country,” Hagel said in a statement today. “They deserve our respect and the benefits they are entitled to under the law.”
The entire Defense Department is committed to pursuing equal opportunities for all who serve the nation, the secretary said.
“I will continue to work to ensure our men and women in uniform, as well as their families, have full and equal access to the benefits they deserve,” he added.
