Following the June 26 Supreme Court decision that struck down the Defense of Marriage Act, the U.S. Army has officially extended its military benefits to the same-sex spouses of Army servicemembers.
According to Military Times, a directive issued by the Army in November stated that married same-sex servicemembers are eligible for a range of entitlements, including military identification cards and survivor benefits. The directive also clarified that servicemembers who live in a state were gay marriage is not recognized can take up to a seven-day leave to travel to state where a license can be obtained. However, a leave of absence will not be granted for those who currently live in a state where same-sex marriage is legal.
The official directive from the Army falls in line with the Department of Defense's policy, which was altered last summer in response to the overturn of DOMA.
"It is now the Department's policy to treat all married military personnel equally," Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in statement released last August. ""This will provide accelerated access to the full range of benefits offered to married military couples throughout the department."