The way I read the article, it sounds like her command was going to give her a pass, as in "you can live your life, we're not going to ask, don't flaunt it in other's faces" and suddenly it's in the media? Hmmmmm.
She either planned it far in advance or made the decision before her personal gut check hit (oh, shit! They're having discussions about repealing DADT and I'm going to have to serve?!).
She's trying to scam the system on either front and that's where it's wrong.
If she had integrity (as she claims) she would nut up and serve her contracted time or say "who do I need to talk to about making financial restitution to the US Army since I am unable to contractually fill my obligations."
And yet.... it's a news story.