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Dan Choi told to repay $2500 after discharge under DADT
Under don't ask, don't tell (DADT), not only does an openly gay service member get kicked out of the military, but he or she may have to repay the Defense Department for any unfinished service.
Since coming out in 2009, Lt. Dan Choi has become an outspoken advocate for the repeal of don't ask, don't tell, which passed Congress late last year but remains in effect until a lengthy certification process is completed.
On Dec. 20, 2010, the Defense Department sent Choi a letter -- and a bill -- saying he owed the U.S. government $2,500 for the "unearned portion of your enlistment or reenlistment bonus." According to the letter, if Choi did not pay his debt within 30 days, the Department would possibly refer his account to a private collection agency, follow up with the Justice Department for legal action and report the delinquency to credit bureaus.
But on his Twitter account Thursday, Choi said he wasn't going to repay a cent, and he has written President Obama a letter explaining why. From his letter: