And the tale goes on

I wanted to join the military since my Junior year in High School. When that was brought up my mother said not no but hell no, you will go to college get a degree and do something with your life. I tried that path right out of High School, got accepted at Howard University and was set to pursue a degree in Pharmacology and be a Pharmacist and live a happy productive life, that is until my father decided he did not like the college I was attending after my first semester and that was when that vision ended. I paid rent to live at home and moved out at 18 with 2 friends. In June of 1990 I made a decision, if I was not doing what I wanted to do for the rest of my life by January I would join the military whether my parents liked it or not. I went to see several recruits, they all seemed eager to get me to join, almost too aggressive. That was until I walked in the Air Force Office, he was in shorts and a tank top (it was Friday afternoon, and he was headed home to his house on the beach in Ocean City MD), he asked if I could come back on Monday and then we could talk. So of course I went back on Monday, sat back had a good conversation and within a week I was headed to MEPS to take my ASVAB and have a physical. Apparently I did well enough on the ASVAB I had my pick of any job, I chose several wishes. About two weeks later my recruiter called and said, well I got you a good job...Contracting. My first question, and what was that again? He explained it as..when they need a new engine for a jet, you buy it. I thought, OK I guess I can do that. I called my mom and asked, so...since you have worked for every branch of the military which one would you say treated you the best? After a long pause she replied, I would say the the Air Force. My response, "good, cause that is the one I joined". the phone got real quiet for a long time....MOM? Mom? You OK? She finally responded with lots of questions....when did you enlist, when are you going, what will you be doing. I of course answered them all but that did not set her at ease.

I left for basic early on an August morning, arriving at Lackland late at night. The first few days/nights are hard to remember but I made it through the 6 wks then headed north to Lowry AFB outside of Denver CO for my job training, then I got the privilege of being stationed at the USAF Academy for almost 4 yrs, I was part of the USAF Honor Guard on base as well as the drill and sabre teams. I also played softball for the women's base team. Yeah, I made the most of my time there but that time almost got cut short. A staff sgt had moved into the dorm right next to mine and we grew to like one another, she had invited me to join her and some friends out for a night of clubbing downtown. We had a blast, dancing a drinking til the early morning hours then of course hit the local Denny's for breakfast & coffee before heading back on base. Once back on base we headed back to her room and fell asleep, nothing happened except we fell asleep next to one another. Well, someone noticed me leaving her room early that next morning and apparently said something to someone cause next thing I know the OSI (Office of Special Investigations) is investigation me for homosexual relations. No, this was not my first time being spoken to about this type of thing. Back in High school I got "sweet" on someone and innocently left notes & poems in her locker and my guidance counselor called me into her office and explained to me that was inappropriate and that I should cease all further contact with this person. Anyway, the OSI sat me done and asked what happened so I told them...as did she and several other of my friends. They actually asked my friends if I had ever made them feel uncomfortable when I looked at them or touched them, to include my room mate. During all of this I could not be seen with her or even around her. I had scheduled leave to take a vacation home during this time and they had thought about cancelling it but they didn't. She had also scheduled leave and we had planned to convoy til we hit her hometown in Kansas then I would go on my own from there, safer to travel together. But of course could not leave base at the same time so we met up at a gas station and left from there. We drove all the way til we hit her mom's house in Kansas and she invited me to stay and get some sleep rather then getting a hotel room and spending money, I stayed and slept a few hours in a recliner rather then joining her in bed which she had offered. Upon my return from leave and a few more meetings with the OSI agent the investigation was dismissed and nothing was ever left on my record, but it will always remain in the back of my mind. In June of 1995 I got transferred to Peterson AFB where I completed my military service. I received several awards and commendations to include an achievement medal and not one but two commendation medals, all as an E-4 (SrA) plus receiving a Contracting Officer Warrant which enabled me to obligate the military in contractual agreements.

I look back at the entire situation and still can not understand or comprehend why it's is such a big deal....if something had actually happened would that effect my job and my service to my country, I think not. I served my country faithfully and honorable and would expect nothing less from anyone who chooses to take the oath. I am proud to be a veteran of the armed service but I am sad to see so many high skilled and trained soldiers, airman, marines and seaman discharged and or not given the opportunity to do the same because of their sexual orientation. DADT (Don't Ask, Don't Tell) needs to be rescinded so we are able to have the best and the brightest serve in our military without fear.