This past August the U.S. Department of the Navy quietly updated its policy, which now allows HIV-positive Sailors and Marines to take overseas assignments and serve on select large ship platforms.

The move was so quiet, in fact, that it's just become known to the public. 

Prior to the policy change, HIV-positive servicemembers were forbidden from stepping foot on foreign soil, including during peace time and in non-combat zones. 

More after the jump.