More than 800 records of service members who were kicked out of the military under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy were recently upgraded to receive honorable discharges, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Tuesday.

More than 800 service members administratively separated from the military under the now-repealed policy will receive discharge upgrades.

The Pentagon estimates about 13,500 service members in total were released from military service under “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

More than 800 U.S. military veterans kicked out of the service because of their sexual orientation under the former "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy will received their long-awaited honorable discharges.

The Defense Department has issued honorable discharges to about 800 service members who were separated from the military during the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that was repealed in 2011. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement that the Military Department Review Boards have issued honorable discharges in nearly 97 percent of 851

The Pentagon on Tuesday granted honorable discharges to more than 800 veterans who were separated from the U.S. military because of their sexual orientation during the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy,

The policy prohibited openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual people from serving in the armed forces. The policy took effect in 1994 during the Clinton administration and was considered a compromise measure from a previous Defense Department policy that prohibited gay and lesbian people from serving.

Under “don't ask, don't tell,” thousands saw their military service ended without an honorable discharge, meaning they missed out on key military benefits.

More than 800 military veterans kicked out because of their sexual orientation during the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" era are to receive honorable discharges following a review of Pentagon records. "Under President Biden's leadership,