The “don’t ask, don’t tell” years in the U.S. military were difficult for homosexual service members. But now that the discriminatory policy is being eliminated, many gays and lesbians who were forced out of the military want to go back to serving their country.

 

As soon as U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips declared the law unconstitutional in September 2010, recruiters were told to accept applicants who say they are gay or lesbian. It is reported that hundreds of discharged men and women—out of more than 13,000 who were kicked out—are seeking to re-enlist once the “don’t tell” policy officially ends on September 20.

 

These former service members won’t receive special consideration from the Department of Defense. Not only will they have to pass physical fitness tests, but also they will have to demonstrate that they have skills the armed services need at a time when the Pentagon’s budget is expected to shrink in coming years. They also may not be allowed to return at their previous rank. Air Force Major Michael Almy and two other service members discharged for being homosexual have filed a lawsuit charging that their removal was unconstitutional, which could lead to the recovery of back pay and reinstatement at their last rank. Almy had served for 13 years being he was forced out of the Air Force.

 

The reasons vary for why gays and lesbians who were run out of the service want to rejoin. Some want to finish what they started, while others seek the regular pay, health care and retirement benefits provided by the Defense Department.

-Noel Brinkerhoff, David Wallechinsky

 

Discharged for Being Gay, Veterans Seek to Re-enlist (by James Dao, New York Times)

Statement of Michael Almy (Senate Armed Services Committee) (pdf)

Discharged for Being Gay, Troops Reenlist (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)