I am a progressive veteran of the US Navy (2000-2004). I loved my service. I loved the fact that I served my country while remaining true to myself. I know I made a difference. I want to say the something about my gay brothers and sisters who served with me on the eve of Secretary Robert Gates’ announcement about DADT.
While my gay brothers and sisters served honorably, they were denied the right to be who they are. I could openly talk about my marriage to my colleagues but my gay shipmates could not. My husband could receive FREE medical treatment from a DOD doctor, my gay shipmates spouses could not. I could attend a military ball with my significant other. My gay shipmates could not bring their significant other without jeopardizing their military careers. I could write-in "spouse" as the beneficiary of my insurance policy without question in case I died but my married gay colleagues could not. I could die and be buried with my spouse and my LGBT buddies could not. One thing that goes under the radar is that because of DADT many of my colleagues who served honorably were denied the benefits and the separation codes I was afforded because of who they are. I am happy that the Obama Administration is making strides but we need to do more.
When servicepersons are separated from the military, we all receive a DD214. The word DD214 is a acronym for Department of Defense form 214. According to the National Archives, a DD214 is a Report of Separation. The National Archives also says that it,
"is generally issued when a service member performs active duty or at least 90 consecutive days of active duty training. The Report of Separation contains information normally needed to verify military service for benefits, retirement, employment, and membership in veterans' organizations. Information shown on the Report of Separation may include the service member's:
Date and place of entry into active duty
Home address at time of entry
Date and place of release from active duty
Home address after separation
Last duty assignment and rank
Military job specialty
Military education
Decorations, medals, badges, citations, and campaign awards
Total creditable service
Foreign service credited
Separation information (type of separation, character of service, authority and reason for separation, separation and reenlistment eligibility codes)"
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/dd-214.html
The DD214 separation codes determine what kind of benefits a service person will receive after they are separated from the military. It also determines even if a service person has the ability to reenter the military. When I applied for my GIBill, I had to send a copy of my DD214 to the V.A. (Veterans Administration)office in Atlanta to receive my benefits so I could attend college. When I decided to reenter the military as a member of the Reserves, I also had to provide my DD214. Here is a list of codes issued if a service member is discharged because they are suspected of or admitted to being gay.
(Separation Program Numbers) Numeric Codes
251 - Punitive discharge. Class I homosexual - general court martial
252 - Punitive discharge. Class I homosexual - general court martial
253 - Homosexual - board action
255 - Punitive discharge. Class II homosexual - general court martial
256 - Homosexual, acceptance of discharge in liey of board action
257 - Unfitness, homosexual acts
U.S. Military Separation Codes
BLC – Homosexuality
BML – Homosexuality
BRA - Engaged or attempted to engage in, or solicited
another to engage in homosexual act(s)
DLC – Homosexuality
GKC – Homosexuality
GLC – Homosexuality
GML – Homosexuality
HLC – Homosexuality
HRC – Homosexuality
HWL – Homosexuality
Some might say so what. That’s spilled milk. We cannot change the past. It's too much paper work for even the DOD to handle. It’s just a piece of paper. I say hog wash! This is not just some piece of paper. This paper details the ENTIRE career of a service person. This affects veteran’s lives. Here is how:
Some institutions require a veteran to present their DD214.
• If you want to apply for a government job at the local, state or federal level; they require an applicant to present their DD214 in order to receive the 5 to 10 points veteran’s preference. In most cases, a member must have been separated under honorable conditions.
• In order to receive additional college credit for your time in the service some colleges, universities and vocational training institution ask you to show proof of service.
• When you apply for unemployment benefits and speak to a Veterans' Employment Representative supplied by the Department of Labor after you are discharged you must present your DD214.
• When you apply for a job with a private company, a employer might ask you to present your DD214.
These are just a few instances. Once institutions are given access to a veteran's DD214 these organizations can see the type of discharge and code a member received. They could discriminate against the veteran without the veteran even knowing the institution did.
I believe we should not only end DADT. We should also focus on making what is wrong right by making the Department of Defense change the discharges of those who were separated because of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell to a retroactive FULL honorable discharge.
This anti-civil rights law denied millions of dollars of veteran’s benefits from eligible beneficiaries and their families. This is more than ending this law. This is about the government denying over 13,000 of my brothers and sisters and their families from the benefits they deserve and earned.
Here is a list of benefits veterans receive because of their service.
Education
Home Loans
Compensation and Pension
Vocational Rehabilitation
Life Insurance
Survivor Benefits
http://www.vba.va.gov/...
I am not a lawyer or a V.A. expert. Nor do I claim to be. I do not know the in's and out's of the V.A or the DOD. All I am is a vet who served with folks from all walks of life. Some were gay and some were not. For many of us it was no big deal. For the blowhards who never served a big Mac let alone in the military it was a big deal. All that mattered to me was that they were my shipmate and had my back and I owed them the same. For me ending this law and changing the separation code is a matter of decency, civil rights and good old common sense. All I want to know is how can we continue to deny people the benefits they earned?