Cadet Katherine Miller, ranked No. 9 in her class at West Point, came out to her superiors yesterday, and promptly resigned.
She explained in a letter to brass: “While at the academy, I have made a deliberate effort to develop myself academically, physically, and militarily, but in terms of holistic personal growth I have reached a plateau. I am unwilling to suppress an entire portion of my identity any longer because it has taken a significant personal, mental, and social toll on me and detrimentally affected my professional development.”
bluenosedive
This is just another brave and strong person the military has lost because of DADT.
IraeNicole
I hope things go well for her and am glad she is so brave.
Now she can become Batwoman!
Lee
Would a scholarship to Yale University even been possible without West Point giving a proof of performance opportunity to Miss Miller? Something that she has done extremely well having been ranked ninth in her class. Her timing might bring up suspicion as well because a third year would have locked in a ten year commitment.Sorry gang, But I am skeptical.
Dave
Hmm. I agree with Lee. It is unfortunate that DADT contributes to the loss of such talented individuals, but it is curious that she realized the policy was irreconcilable so close to actually needing to pay back for her free education.
Dave
In reading CDT Miller’s resignation letter, specifically her intent to “reapply to West Point for AY2011-2012 in the event of repeal of§654 and enactment of a non-discrimination policy,” I retract my previous statement.
Good for her.
Albert L
I found this article in the Army Times and I was troubled enough by it that I decided to write a response.
The fact that Ms. Katherine Miller chose to lie about her sexuality means she missed the point of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. It means quite literally what it says: don’t ask and don’t tell about your sexuality.
The fact that the news story reports her as going for a sociology major and reading and writing extensively about the policy is somewhat troubling. One would hope that if she had studied the policy thoroughly she might have noticed the title and realized what it meant.
Her words: “I intend for my resignation to offer a concrete example of the consequences of a failed law and social policy.” Item one: it is not a law, it is a military policy. Item two: it is not a social policy, it is a military policy. It affects members of the military and no one else.
The sexuality of a service member is essentially ignored by the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. You can be gay and serve in the armed services. It is possible. Just don’t ask others about their sexuality and don’t tell them about yours. This renders Katherine Miller’s actions and purpose a moot point.
As soon as this policy is repealed sexuality suddenly has a role in a sexless endeavor. Again, war is not about sexuality and neither is the execution of war on a professional level. If you mention your sexual orientation you messed up.
If she was lying, she was talking. She had already breached the policy.