Kelly Flinn admits falsely denying an affair she had upon questioning by her superiors in the Air Force. As a result, she was charged with lying, insubordination, and adultery.
The "Don't ask, don't tell" policy protects military personnel from questions about whether or not they are gay. Kelly Flinn was asked whether she had sexual relations with a man. A truthful, affirmative answer would have established that she was not gay, something the Air Force had no right to know. Therefore, she did not have to answer.
If, instead of lying, she had refused to answer the questions and incriminate herself, Flinn might have been able to successfully defend herself against the other charges. She would have left doubt as to whether she knew her lover was married. She could have argued that the order she violated was logistically impossible to follow.
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Last revised: 4 March 2008
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