The policy banning gays in the US military has been repealed. This means that service members can reveal that they are gay, without any repercussion. Previously, gay people could serve in the military as long as they did not openly reveal their sexual orientation, and commanders were not allowed to ask.

Last year, US congress voted to repeal the law that had been introduced during the Clinton administration. The military will begin processing applications from a few weeks back from openly gay recruits now that the new law has taken effect. Also, any pending investigations have now been dropped under the new law.

Some Congress members feel that allowing openly gay people to serve will undermine the military. But President Barack Obama, Defence Secretary Leon Panetta, and Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Admiral Mike Mulle disagree.