i m terrell brown. as of this morning, gays can openly serve in the united states military. the 18-year-old clinton era law commonly known as don t ask, don t tell, has been formally replaced. for weeks, the military has been accepting applications from openly gay troops. it s something supporters call historic for gay rights. susan mcginnis is in washington with more this morning. good morning to you. good morning, terrell. this is a historic shift in policy. since 1993, any troops identifying themselves as gay faced automatic discharge and more than 13,000 people were discharged for it. well, today, all that changed. today, for the first time, gays and lesbians may serve their country without hiding their sexual identity. after nearly 18 years, the ban on gay service members known as don t ask, don t tell, ended just after midnight. it s a great day. it s a long time coming. i think it s going to be great for the military. for david hall, the historic change is especi
today, for the first time, gays and lesbians may serve their country without hiding their sexual identity. after nearly 18 years, the ban on gay service members known as don t ask, don t tell, ended just after midnight. it s a great day. it s a long time coming. i think it s going to be great for the military. for david hall, the historic change is especially meaningful. a former u.s. air force staff sergeant, he was one of more than 13,000 men and women discharged under the ban. i was ranked number one in my class. it was all based off of just what one person said. reporter: president obama signed the new bill into law last december, but not without fierce opposition for some lawmakers who claimed the repeal would undermine order and discipline. i hope that when we pass this legislation that we will understand that we are doing great damage. reporter: at a congressional hearing, the military s top uniformed officer supported lifting the ban. it is my personal b