West Point Rejects Ex-Cadet

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point rejected an application for
readmission to a former cadet who resigned last year due to the "don't
ask, don't tell" law, which barred out gays and lesbians from
serving in the military.

Katherine Miller, 21, left West Point, where she ranked ninth in her class, in August to attend Yale for her junior year. Miller requested to return to the academy for her senior year, as the "don't ask, don't tell" repeal process is under way, but she was told that she could not return.

"While the don't ask, don't tell policy was recently changed and will be repealed, the effective date has not yet been determined," Lt. Col. Sherri Reed, the academy's director of public affairs, said in a statement, according to the Associated Press. "Due to this situation, West Point is unable to offer her readmission at this time."

Miller released a statement Wednesday, saying that she intended to finish her education at Yale, and then enter the military through Officer Candidate School upon graduation.

"Although I am deeply saddened that I will not be readmitted to West Point, I understand and respect the decision," she said. "The Academy and the military are required to abide by a strict DADT repeal implementation timeline, and readmission would violate that timeline. My intent has never been to receive "special treatment" but rather to serve alongside my comrades as an equal."
 

The date for full repeal will be 60 days after President Barack Obama and top military officials certify that repealing the ban will not affect troop morale or defense capabilities. Training for each of the branches of the military is slated to be completed by the end of the summer. Classes begin at West Point August 15.