Navy Assigns Openly Gay Sailor to Reserves

[deadparrot]

Source: YubaNet

The United States Navy has again assigned an openly gay sailor to duty in the Individual Ready Reserves (IRR), according to paperwork obtained by Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN).

Former Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Knight, a Hebrew linguist recently deployed to Kuwait, has been placed on IRR duty until April 2009, despite publicly 'coming out' in national media outlets and being told he would receive a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" dismissal. Knight's dismissal form, also called a DD-214, again lists his reason for dismissal as 'Completion of Service,' and places him in the IRR.

The classification allows him to again be called to active duty, as he was in 2006 after completing a four-year enlistment in the Navy. Knight has now served openly during two tours with the Navy, with the support of his command and colleagues.

"It's a very pleasant, and unexpected, surprise to learn that the Navy so values Jason's service that they have again assigned him to the Individual Ready Reserves, despite his very public advocacy as an openly gay man," Steve Ralls, director of communications for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), told the military newspaper Stars & Stripes in a statement. "There are clearly many people inside the armed forces who couldn't care less about sexual orientation. In fact, our national security would be far better served if more commands elected to so visibly support their gay troops. The Navy has welcomed Jason Knight not once, not twice, but now a third time, and he has always answered the call to duty. His story proves there is no room to question the patriotism, dedication and commitment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans."

Read more: http://www.yubanet.com/artman/publish/article_58554.shtml

[purduejake]

1. Just wait until they don't need him anymore...

he'll receive a dishonorable discharge just like everybody else. Fortunately people in the civilian world realize how ridiculous this is and now ask on job applications something along the lines of "Have you ever been dishonorably discharged from military service for reasons other than sexual orientation?"

Regardless, I wish him the best of luck. I think it's great that his immediate command appears to be supportive, but just worry what will happen when some jerk like Peter Pace finds out.

[Doofer]

2. He'll receive a dishonorable discharge just like everybody else.

I don't believe the Military gives Dishonorable Discharges for coming out but Administrative Discharges these days.

[purduejake]

4. Is that a good thing?

It sounds better... but does it haunt you like a dishonorably discharge would? I'm asking because I don't really know. It's one thing to kick somebody out and another to kick them out and haunt them.

[xchrom]

3. lol -- ah yes -- that does amuse.

[CK_John]

5. For some reason they want this guy subject to UCMJ, hope he has a good lawyer. n/t