The Navy will begin training for leadership and support to provide eligible benefits to same-sex domestic partners of service members and their children beginning Aug. 31.

“Extending these benefits reinforces the principle that all those who volunteer to serve are treated with dignity and respect and ensured fairness and equal treatment to the extent allowable under law,” said Rear Adm. Tony Kurta, director military plans and policy.

The training will assist leadership in a knowledgeable and professional extension of benefits beginning Aug. 31 when service members will be able to submit a “Declaration of Domestic Partnership for DEERS Enrollment” and obtain a Department of Defense identification for their same-sex partners to access benefits detailed in a Feb. 11 memo by the secretary of defense.

Earlier this year, the Department of Defense identified family member and dependent benefits that the services can lawfully provide to same-sex partners and their families through changes in Department of Defense policies and regulation.