Dan Choi Re-Enlists in the Army in Times Square: DURING & AFTER

[Tx4obama]

Run time: 08:44 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r407kvpn4us   Posted on YouTube: October 19, 2010 By YouTube Member: mattrett Views on YouTube: 302   Posted on DU: October 20, 2010 By DU Member: Tx4obama Views on DU: 2298

 
Dan Choi talks to reporter right BEFORE re-enlisting
Video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMoOJlwQtsU&feature=

Read MORE here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4580498

[slackmaster]

1. I wish I could give this story 100 Recs

:kick:

[KILL THE WISE ONE]

2. it will just take 100 of us to do it

[WheelWalker]

19. I'm in.

:kick: & Rec

[SharonRB]

3. I'm so ferklempt.

I met him at Netroots in July and told him I hoped they would let people who had been discharged re-enlist if they wanted to. At the time he wasn't sure he would, but I'm glad to see he's decided to.

[Renew Deal]

4. This is really great news!

I'm happy for him. But why does he have to come back in at the bottom of the ranks? That seems like a misuse of talent. Does he get to keep his medals and his time served? Either way, very exciting.

[Tx4obama]

5. He sorta explains it in the 'before' video. link below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMoOJlwQtsU&feature=

Actually in the OP video he says that since he has 're-enlisted' and not applied for 're-enstatement' that he'll be an enlisted man (not an officer like when he was booted out). And he will be a specialist since he has college under his belt.

[James48]

6. Answers-

#1- why does he come back in at the bottom? Because before he was an officer, now he is enlisting. Enlisted ranks go from private, and go up from there. If this had been anyone else who was discharged as an officer, they also would be enlisted at a lower, enlisted rank. It would be common to be enlisted at from Specialist (E-4) to Sergeant (E-5), depending on the length of time of the break in service.

#2- Does he keep his medals? Yes,you always keep the medal you have earned.

It is in fact not all that uncommon for first-term officers to get out, and then later decide to come back in as an enlisted soldier. I've known perhaps a dozen or so who have done this. It is quite honorable, and both enlisted and officer ranks tend to give a great deal of respect to those who have done so.


For now, the law is still the law, and until the Congress repeals the law, it is highly unlikely that he will be able to recover his commission even if he wanted to. However, as an enlisted soldier, he should be able to serve. Should Congress repeal the law, and permit those who previously were discharged to be able to apply for commissioned service again, he will have that chance if he so desires to apply. Only time will tell.

Service to our nation is valuable- no matter the rank. It's not about where in the structure you serve. It's about the fact that you are willing to serve.

To Specialist Dan Choi- thank you for your service, brother.

[Tx4obama]

12. Thanks for posting the info :) n/t

[Historic NY]

7. Good luck, & welcome back your nation needs you.

[Blacksheep214]

8. Since he was an officer

and we are still at war, soldiers can and do get commissioned as needed by the service.

Here's hoping they get it right and restore what they took illegally!

[highprincipleswork]

9. This guy is a hero.

It doesn't take much to see that this guy is a hero. He's the definition of a hero.

[grahamhgreen]

10. I love this guy!

Not like that!

[33Greeper]

11. Awesome!

[AsahinaKimi]

13. I met him once in SF

He was really nice, (and kind of cute!^^) I won't ever forget, because it was the same day I saw BoA Kwon sing live!

[mymomwasright]

14. The age requirement they gave him for the Marines seems like BS

When you have prior service you can deduct that from your actual age. Not everything is written in stone, neccessarily for a recruiter. Things do change (requirements) but I remember going through bootcamp with a 33 year old... and yes, I was a recruiter, so I speak from experience.

[Nordmadr]

15. They may not be counting his prior service. I don't know

how they can get away with that either, but perhaps.

[JBoy]

16. "They didn't disintegrate in their; their unit cohesion is doing just fine"

:rofl:

It's nice to see he retained a sense of humor through all this shit.

I could tell this was a big day for him, and that he's feeling rejuvenated.

[cliffordu]

17. Man I love this dude.

stand up guy.

[democrank]

18. I really respect this man

Go Dan!

[laughingliberal]

20. K & R nt

[nradisic]

21. A true patriot

God Bless you Dan Choi...you are an exemplary American.

[Charleston Chew]

22. Equality For All!

The Bill of Rights guarantees basic fundamental freedoms to everyone in America.

[TwentyFive]

23. Nice to see good news. Way to go Lt. Choi!!

Generations of soldiers will be better off thanks to Lt. Dan Choi.

[hendo]

24. it makes me all warm and fuzzy inside :)