MILITARY

Few veterans expelled under 'don't ask' seek corrections

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Former U.S. Army soldier Danny Ingram poses for a portrait at his home, Wednesday, June 22, 2016, in Atlanta, Ga. Ingram was one of the first to be expelled after “don't ask, don't tell” was enacted. He was given an honorable discharge from the Army and he doesn't want to change the narrative that references his sexual orientation. It's a “badge of honor,” he said. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) (The Associated Press)

Former U.S. Army soldier Danny Ingram poses for a portrait at his home .Wednesday, June 22, 2016, in Atlanta, Ga. Ingram was one of the first to be expelled after “don't ask, don't tell” was enacted. He was given an honorable discharge from the Army and he doesn't want to change the narrative that references his sexual orientation. It's a “badge of honor,” he said. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) (The Associated Press)

Former U.S. Army soldier Danny Ingram poses for a portrait at his home .Wednesday, June 22, 2016, in Atlanta, Ga. Ingram was one of the first to be expelled after “don't ask, don't tell” was enacted. He was given an honorable discharge from the Army and he doesn't want to change the narrative that references his sexual orientation. It's a “badge of honor,” he said. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) (The Associated Press)

Less than 8 percent of veterans expelled from the military under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy have applied to upgrade their discharges to honorable or strip references to their sexual orientation from their record.

In the nearly five years since the repeal of the policy that banned gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military, fewer than 1,000 people have sought corrections.

That's out of the more than 13,000 people who were expelled, the military tells The Associated Press.

The head of the Board for Correction of Naval Records says many veterans don't know it's an option.

Veterans and the veterans' advocates agreed there's a lack of awareness but cited many reasons why veterans wouldn't correct their record. Going to the board could open up old wounds, for example.