Officer won't be fired for working to keep gay ban

Posted: 03.31.2010 at 10:39 AM

ANNE FLAHERTY,Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — A high-ranking Army general won't be fired or formally reprimanded after urging troops to lobby against the repeal of a ban on openly gay military service.

President Barack Obama supports lifting the ban, and an active attempt to keep it in place could be considered insubordination.

But Lt. Gen. Benjamin Mixon's civilian boss says the three-star Army general won't receive a letter of reprimmand or be forced to step down. Army Secretary John McHugh told reporters Wednesday that Mixon has been told that what he did was inappropriate. McHugh says he considers the matter to be closed.

Mixon is head of Army forces in the Pacific theater. He had urged troops to 'speak up' and urge political leaders not to repeal the ban.