Here Are The Benefits Same-Sex Military Couples Will Finally Receive

By J.K. Trotter | The Atlantic Wire – Mon, Feb 11, 2013

Even as outgoing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta continues to push the Supreme Court to open up more rights, the Pentagon has officially begun extending certain benefits to same-sex military families, according to a memorandum released today by the White House. The memo follows last week's announcement from Panetta that the military would grant as many privileges as it could without violating the Defense of Marriage Act, whose constitutionality will be challenged toward the end of March.

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Unfortunately, the two most important benefits — subsidized health care (TRICARE) and housing allowances — were not included. In the memo, Panetta blames DOMA:

In the event that the Defense of Marriage Act is no longer applicable to the Department of Defense, it will be the policy of the Department to construe the Words “spouse” and “marriage” without regard to sexual orientation, and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.

Panetta's oblique message to the Supreme Court continues what he said in announcing the move last week:

"While it will not change during my tenure as secretary of defense, I foresee a time when the law will allow the department to grant full benefits to service members and their dependents, irrespective of sexual orientation."

That said, the memo helpfully lists the benefits that same-sex military spouses or domestic partners are entitled to immediately. (Previously, it was unclear which benefits would make the cut, given the provisions of DOMA, which prohibits federal recognition of same-sex marriages.) Those benefits are:

The memo also states that the following benefits will be extended to same-sex couples no later than October 2013: