There was a 60-person shower (at boot camp) and you’re almost too scared to look. But you have to see to move because it’s a 30-second shower. … Because I was in the infantry, it was more homophobic. I have gay (Army) friends in medical and intelligence. People know they’re gay, but they can almost go to the military ball. I’m sure they could if they wanted to. … I’d go to (heterosexual) bars with the guys. I danced, but that didn’t mean I enjoyed it. I wanted the guys to watch my back, and I’d watch their back. … The Army is in my blood; I love serving my country,” he said. “But I can’t pursue a lifetime dream because I’m gay. It’s like telling someone who loves teaching that they can’t teach because they’re a brunette. You can’t choose to be a brunette or gay. Who would choose to be gay when so many things are (stacked) against gays?
—Randy Miller, a former paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division and Iraq War veteran, who was honorably discharged under DADT after being spotted at a North Carolina gay bar, which prompted a search of his barracks room that turned up gay porn. He attempted to re-enlist during last month’s brief window when DADT went offline; the Army rejected him [via]
Kieran
Could it be any more ironic that gay soldiers like Randy Miller were fighting for (so-called) “Operation Iraqi Freedom”? What they really need to be fighting for is “Operation American Freedom”.
the crustybastard
If the riots would come the progress would follow.
We’re too polite to win, so we don’t.
Mike
I was kicked out of the 82d to, but way back in 1998. I showered with a bunch of guys every day after PT (physical training). I never looked, for real, wouldn’t even think about it.