As open as I am about who and what I am… I would have never ever ever in a million years have done an interview like this when I was in the Navy and in uniform no less. Because the military tends to look down on anyone speaking out politically unless it’s something Christian or conservative like a Republican Political rally worshiping the Most Holy providers of “under the table” pay offs for those high ranking officers at the Church of The Pentagon tax dollar feeding through. You know how it is.
So here is some major respect to these three gay service members of our military who chose to speak out on a very important issue. This is a HUGE risk to their careers and it should not be. They put their lives on the line daily for this country.
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Nathalie wrote,
I’m curious. What is the “charge” these people face? I mean, they would be released from the force if it became known they are homosexual, right? But what does it say on the documens, what are the reasons listed? Surely it can’t say “homosexuality”, so does the employer have weasel words like “reproachable conduct” or whatnot? How does it work pension-wise?
Link | January 31st, 2010 at 9:11 am
TeddyPig wrote,
Oh easy! See we have all sorts of gotcha type rules for US Military members so interpretation by commanding officers and who happens to be pissed off is always key to understanding of these rules but here is some of the stuff in writing concerning uniform wearing while practicing free speech…
11002. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DIRECTIVES PERTAINING TO UNIFORMS
1. Implementing 10 U.S.C. 772, the President, by Executive Order 10554 of 18 August 1954, delegated to the Secretary of Defense the authority to prescribe regulations under which persons may wear the uniform. The following excerpts from DoD Directive 1334.1 of 11 August 1969 outline these regulations:
a. Members of the Armed Forces (including retired members and members of reserve components). The wearing of the uniform is prohibited under any of the following circumstances:
(2) During or in connection with the furtherance of political activities, private employment or commercial interests, when an inference of official sponsorship for the activity or interest could be drawn.
(3) Except when authorized by competent Service authority, when participating in activities such as public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies or any public demonstration (including those pertaining to civil rights), which may imply Service sanction of the cause for which the demonstration or activity is conducted.
(4) When wearing of the uniform would tend to bring discredit upon the Armed Forces.
(5) When specifically prohibited by regulations of the department concerned.
b. Former Members of the Armed Forces. Unless qualified under another provision of this Order or under the provisions of 10 U.S.C. 772, former members who served honorably during a declared or undeclared war and whose most recent service was terminated under honorable conditions may wear the uniform in the highest grade held during such war service ONLY upon the following occasions and in the course of travel incident thereto:
(1) Military funerals, memorial services, weddings, and inaugurals. (NOTE: Military–not civilian)
(2) Parades on national or state holidays; or other parades or ceremonies of a patriotic character in which any active or reserve United States military unit are taking part. ‘Wearing of the uniform or any part thereof at any other time or for any purpose is prohibited.’
c. Medal of Honor Holders. Persons who have been awarded the Medal of Honor may wear the uniform at their pleasure except under the circumstances set forth in Subsection a., above.”
2. Pursuant to DoD Instruction 5410.20, unauthorized use of approved Marine Corps uniform emblems or insignia on civilian attire, or other non-uniform attire, is prohibited.
11003. SECRETARY OF THE NAVY POLICY PERTAINING TO UNIFORMS
1. Pursuant to subparagraph 11002.1a (5), the Secretary of the Navy has prescribed that:
a. The exercise of the rights of freedom of speech and assembly does not include the right to borrow the inherent dignity, prestige, and traditions represented by uniforms of the naval service to lend weight and significance to privately held convictions on public issues.
b. Members of the Navy and Marine Corps (including retired members and members of Reserve components) are prohibited from wearing uniforms of the naval service while attending or participating in, or continuing to attend or participate in, a demonstration, assembly, or activity with knowledge that a purpose of such demonstration, assembly, or activity is the furtherance of personal or partisan views on political, social, economic, or religious issues except:
(1) In connection with official duties or as otherwise authorized in advance by competent (military) authority; or
(2) Incident to attendance at or participation in a bona fide religious service or observance.
Link | January 31st, 2010 at 10:54 am
Nathalie wrote,
Hm, so it’s all about the perception, then, it’s not *being* homosexual that can get you booted, it’s *showing* it, which would bring discredit to the uniform, and THAT will get you booted. Did I understand correctly?
So the “charge” of a dimsissed homosexual servicemember would be that he/she brought discredit to the uniform. But what if he/she never publicly hugged or kissed a same-gender person while in uniform? Just “saying” you’re gay is enough to get the door?
Is this because the employer thinks a homosexual servicemember is more likely to discredit the uniform by hugging and kissing another same-gender person, in uniform and while in public, than a heterosexual member?
My head, it’s all explodey.
Link | January 31st, 2010 at 11:09 am
TeddyPig wrote,
Well, let’s be clear they are admitting on television they are gay which is against the “Don’t Tell” part of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” rule. That will do all the damage right there. They are pointing out “the lie” that conservatives want to believe which is all current service members are Happy Christian Hetros.
The Uniform Codes are written so the peanut gallery can just lay on whatever else they want to throw at them as they kick them out the door. There really is no “rights” while wearing a uniform in the Military Uniform Codes. The commanding officers own you and they can fuck you all sorts of ways to hell and back if you piss them off.
Link | January 31st, 2010 at 11:14 am