Not all that much is going to change in the military, but lots of backup policy will need to be written for those "just in case" situations.
The part I'm curious about is the financial and legal considerations of things such as gay marriage, and how our system of benefits for people with dependents works. I know what I would do to fix those issues, but at the same time it would make lots of folks bitch.
In the military, to receive the benefits that come from being married currently, you have to have a child, regardless of if the couple is gay or straight. Thus it's ok to be married, get the spousal benefits such as installation access and tricare, but not all the oodles of extra cash and such.
To be honest that would have been a long time coming, too many stupid bastards in the military get married but think it through so much less because of the benefits. "Oh snap I'll just marry my civilian girlfriend so I can live off base and make tons of extra dosh!"
Feels Good, Man
Consider me in the "about fucking time" camp with a side order of FUCK YEAR!
I just hope they don't come up with a stupid idea like making a segregated unit called the First Fighting Fudgepackers.
While hilarious, that would never happen.
I've heard the sentiment among other troops quite a few times though, something akin to how South Park: The Movie had Operation: Hide Behind The Darkies. 
Consider me in the "about fucking time" camp with a side order of FUCK YEAR!
I see the Awesomeness.
Finally. Welcome to the 90's America.
Is using "Julian Assange is a Hillary butt plug" an acceptable signature quote?
Hi, I'm Talos
Ah, more people getting social equality around xmas makes my feel warm.... no wait, thats my latkes... SHIT
TALOSTALOSTALOSTALOSTALOSTALOS
A little late to the party, aren't we America?
edited 18th Dec '10 4:21:25 PM by Pentadragon
I... was not expecting that. Wow.
Unchanging Avatar.
Good for the Obama administration. Way to continue trying to fulfill your campaign promises. It was a bad political decision, but (IMO) the right thing to do.
Except for 4/1/2011. That day lingers in my memory like...metaphor here...I should go.
Night Clerk of the Apacalypse.
Wow McCain was a massive dick about this. Supposedly the majority of the republicans were relatively calm about it and more critical of the timing. meh if our uniformed forces can adapt and over come hopefully its not fucking up cohesion on the lines. If so rotations for adaptation maybe? We can be sure what refusal or inability to adapt will bring not necessarily all of good thing.
edited 18th Dec '10 5:26:18 PM by TuefelHundenIV
Who watches the watchmen?
Damn silly policy in the first place. Why would you deny the chance for more soldiers?
Pretending to be human
To those acting smug about this, most Western countries only allowed gays into their military forces after 2000 or so.
I'm glasses.
^That still makes the US about 10 years behind.
Always, somewhere, someone is fighting for you. As long as you remember them, you are not alone.
Whatever. It's done. That's what really matters.
I'm glasses.
Agreed. I hope we can put all this behind us.
Of course, rationally I know some people will try to reinstate it, or worse. Probably won't go anywhere, but I'd still rather we could just forget about it and move on. Sigh.
Always, somewhere, someone is fighting for you. As long as you remember them, you are not alone.
Now if only we can evict government out of the role of marriage so that everyone in regards to gay marriage is equal in the eyes of the law.
No marriage laws? No problem!
Unlikely. I'm sure some people are losing it, thanks to the announcement.
A minority?
I do wonder if this will have an impact on gay culture though, if it does stick.
A big boost in numbers, maybe?
Night Clerk of the Apacalypse.
Tze Tze: That is actually a group I could readily support.
I am very curious as to
- What the armred forces as a whole will do.
- What the Marines will do. These things are important to me because of my families long military tradition and record of prior service.
edited 18th Dec '10 7:43:18 PM by TuefelHundenIV
Who watches the watchmen?
^
I'm sure they will be fine. The Marine Corps will embrace their closet homosexuality to its fullest.
Also known as Katz
Colonial: It'll stick.
Bear in mind: The two objections were a) the disruption of policy changes during wartime and b) procedural complaints (ie, the smokescreen for things you're opposing for no good reason). Neither of these could provide even the feeblest grounds for a repeal effort, and the former is actually an argument against a repeal.
edited 18th Dec '10 7:52:13 PM by jewelleddragon
I'm not sure what kind of commentary to this momentous event without coming off as petty or smug, so I'll just say this: it's about freaking time.
Furthermore, I think Guantanamo must be destroyed.